Now That You Have a PhD!
You might be curious about the title of this article. It is inspired by the recent wave of congratulatory messages on social media celebrating individuals, both familiar and unfamiliar, who have successfully defended their PhD work. This wave of accolades prompted me to ask: Now that you have a PhD, how can this achievement translate into societal impact beyond the academic realm? While the contributions of PhD holders in teaching, research, and publications are commendable, my concern is how we can push the boundaries of such impact to extend our influence beyond these traditional roles.
To understand this better, let’s consider the various skill sets that a person with a PhD is expected to have acquired. These include critical thinking and analysis, research and information management, problem-solving, project management, adaptability, self-management, and both written and oral communication. Additionally, PhD holders possess data analysis skills, grant writing expertise, and collaboration and networking abilities.
Given these skills, how can PhD holders extend their influence beyond the confines of academia? Let’s look at two case studies demonstrating that PhD holders can indeed have a significant impact on society at large.
Case Study 1: Dr. Mahmud Bukar Maina
Dr. Mahmud Bukar Maina, currently a research fellow at the University of Sussex, hails from Yobe State. Despite having less than 4,000 followers on Facebook at the time of writing, his influence on his home state is profound. While many in his position might focus solely on their careers in the UK, Dr. Mahmud chose a different path. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, where he serves as the founding director.
Dr. Mahmud’s efforts have attracted donations of significant equipment, such as the Zeiss LSM 780 Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope, among others. With the support of Governor Mai Mala, the center has become one of the premier bio-imaging facilities in Nigeria. Additionally, Dr. Mahmud returns to his home state regularly, bringing colleagues from the UK to organize summer schools that train and mentor both academics and students.
This example illustrates how a PhD holder can extend their influence on their community and, by extension, to Nigeria and Africa.
In the next part, I will share another inspiring story of another Nigerian who is making a remarkable impact by mentoring and sponsoring Nigerians to study at Ivy League universities in the United States. I will also provide a roadmap for how PhD holders can give back to their immediate communities and contribute to the broader development of our country.
Keep an eye out for part II.
