Feedback from an international student currently finishing a Pro Gradu in a prestiguous group in London.

-----Original Message----- From: Emmanuel Nji [mailto:emmanuel.nji@oulu.fi] Sent: 15. toukokuuta 2008 21:17 To: lloyd.ruddock@oulu.fi Cc: enji@mail.student.fi Subject: Feedback

What a nice debate to improve our precious academic atmosphere. Without much ado, three comments from me.

1) About employment Most people have stressed the fact that there is a high probability of getting a job as a Biochemist just to encourage students to do the subject which is OK but two things are missing; To get a job any where you need to demonstrate high standards and mastery of your field of studies and also how long must you study before you consider yourself as a successful Biochemist. I must proudly say the standard of teaching in this Department is very high, Everywhere our students go supervisors are amazed with the competence of our practical skills, At least students from this Department who had taken their Pro Gradu training abroad can testify. It might interest first year students to know that with just a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry your dreams can be fulfilled. I have come across many job opportunities (see attachment for an example) where the required skills were taught in the Protein Chemistry I and the Biochemical methods II courses. It is an amazing thing to know that all these skills were acquired already by our students at the end of their second year only.

2) Medicine/Biochemistry I know that in some countries like USA, it is the duty of the Biochemistry department to train students for medical schools for at least 4 years, so we should see those going to medical school as part of us and not traitors as Ulli said. I don?t know if the medical school can be influence to create and entrance exam for Biochemist after their Bachelor degree, may be this will in some way prove to first year students that the two subjects are related and who knows after their third year they may see no need to go to the medical school since at that level they must have known what Biochemistry really is. 3) Language To succeed in life generally you should be able to adapt to change, God knows how I survived a transition of temperature from +32 to -10 degrees Celsius. I had to adapt because I had to obtain a Master?s degree in Biochemistry of high standard which is amazingly tuition free. Students should learn how to cope with English language. I thing one student suggested the constant speaking of the language even if you are not fluent enough. Be assured that no body is perfect when it comes to language not even Lloyd, who is English and use to make spelling errors during lectures.

Accept my kind regards, Emmanuel (Manu)