Gouhar Pirzada
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
After working in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Pakistan, Gouhar Pirzada came to AUT as an international student to explore an issue close to his heart: the opportunities and challenges women working as TVET teachers face in Pakistan.
“I’ve had opportunities to study and undertake training in the UK and Australia. After more than 15 years of working in the technical and vocational education and training sector, I decided to start my doctorate in the same field. I chose AUT for its academic reputation, the transformation that it has brought by investing in career-oriented and skills-based education, the modern facilities, and most importantly, the academic staff.
“For my doctoral thesis, I’m researching the opportunities and challenges women TVET teachers face in Pakistan. This is both exciting and challenging because there is no previous research in this area. TVET sits at the heart of the agenda for most developing countries, and it directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 5 Gender Equality and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. I have high expectations that my research will give a platform to voices that aren’t currently being heard and will cultivate pathways for a population that has been significantly underrepresented in research. I thank AUT and especially my PhD supervisors for supporting me in navigating my research.”
Gouhar’s PhD research is supported by Dr Lisa Maurice-Takerei and Dr Ross Bernay.
Supported to thrive
AUT has provided him with the support and confidence postgraduate research students require, says Gouhar, who is one of the co-leaders of the research students’ peer group.
“Being a PhD student, one expects continuous support for academic and research rigour. The workshops arranged by the library team and postgraduate office have been extremely beneficial to me. I’ve also had multiple opportunities to interact with academics and professionals from the industry. What has been most inspirational is the fact that AUT genuinely lives its motto of providing knowledge that works.
“Isolation was my greatest fear, since at PhD level students mostly work on their own, often away from home and family, which sometimes makes focusing on your studies and research difficult. Besides world-class academic support and dedicated supervision, AUT supports international students by offering multiple opportunities to connect and socialise. The thriving international student body has always been a core strength of this university. The warm support and student services have been phenomenal. Because of the ample opportunities AUT provides to all its students, with so many students’ clubs and activities, I’ve never felt lost or isolated, and have made so many new friends.”
He appreciates how well-supported he has been throughout his PhD journey.
“I’m grateful to AUT for awarding me the faculty scholarship to do my PhD. The university has been very generous in providing me with multiple opportunities to thrive while pursuing my PhD. For example, I was selected for Te Ara Whakamua, an extremely useful training programme that helps AUT doctoral students navigate their futures. The Employability and Careers team at AUT has also been absolutely fantastic in providing the best services and counselling, which enabled me to secure a job in my field.”
Highly recommended
Gouhar – who expects to complete his doctorate in 2028 – wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.
“AUT is a great option for your studies, especially if you’re an international student. I’d highly recommend opting for AUT to anyone who wants a career-focused education.”
The support services for students are especially strong, he says.
“From undergrad to postgrad, AUT invests heavily in the wellbeing of its students, and it provides the best student support from your first day at university until you graduate and even afterwards. It has everything that an international student dreams of.”
