Testimonial by He, Ling

My Ph.D. research focuses on the prosocial behavior among rural left-behind adolescents in China. Prosocial behavior is an important positive behavior that contributes to the social adaptation of left-behind adolescents. With approximately 12 million left-behind children in rural China due to their parents' migration to other cities for work, there has been limited research focused on their prosocial behaviors. To address this research gap, my Ph.D. research explores the mechanism of prosocial behaviors among left-behind adolescents in rural areas of China. By analyzing the impact of environmental factors (family and school) and personal factors on prosocial behavior and identifying the main contributors among left-behind adolescents, the research findings show that positive maternal and strict paternal parenting styles, along with supportive school moral atmospheres had directly or indirectly (via moral identity) influence the prosocial behavior of left-behind adolescents. This study provides valuable insights into comprehending and fostering the prosocial development of left-behind adolescents in rural areas of China.

My experience with the research program at UTAR has been immensely valuable, offering benefits that will undoubtedly impact my life in numerous ways.

First and foremost, the research program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of professional research methods and invaluable research experience. The program included essential courses in Methodology and offered optional training sessions in literature management, data analysis, and thesis writing. Through these diverse opportunities, I gained proficiency in various research tools, significantly enriching my perspectives on conducting research. Moreover, the program organized several insightful sharing sessions led by the Head of Program, which encouraged me to be open and courageous in exchanging and sharing my learning experiences with fellow graduate students. These sessions emphasized the importance of fostering mutual progress and growth through collaborative knowledge sharing. The positive learning atmosphere and humanistic support during the exchange and discussions significantly alleviated my anxieties and concerns about pursuing my doctoral studies at UTAR. Under the guidance of my supervisors, Dr. Tan, Dr. Pung, and Dr. Kok, I experienced a remarkable improvement in my research abilities and gained extensive research experience. Their professional and patient mentorship has been instrumental in my progress, from initially struggling with determining the research topic to successfully defending my proposal and presenting my work during Work Completion Seminars (WCS). Their mentorship transformed me from an academic novice unsure of how to conduct research into a confident individual capable of effectively communicating and discussing research outcomes with experts during Proposal Defense (PD) and Work Completion Seminars (WCS). Furthermore, the valuable professional feedback and constructive comments received from experts during the proposal defense (PD) and work completion seminar (WCS) played a crucial role in refining and solidifying my research topic and thoughts. This support instilled greater confidence in me, enabling me to approach my research with determination and successfully complete my work.

Secondly, I gained invaluable insights into becoming an excellent researcher through the guidance of my supervisors, Dr. Tan and Dr. Pung. They exemplified the essential qualities that researchers should possess – fearlessly exploring new avenues, adhering to rigor in their approach, and maintaining unwavering persistence in their endeavors. During moments when my research yielded less-than-ideal outcomes, and I found myself satisfied with superficial results, they reminded me to strive for accuracy and authenticity in my findings. On the other hand, when faced with setbacks and frustrations, they provided encouragement and expert guidance, steering me towards alternative analysis methods and tools to overcome obstacles effectively. Their mentorship has taught me the importance of scientific rigor and the relentless pursuit of truth within the data. Witnessing their scientific spirit and outstanding achievements, I greatly admire my supervisors, and aspire to follow in their footsteps as a professional researcher one day.

Lastly, I acquired essential insights into becoming an effective university teacher through the transformative journey from the proposal defense (PD) to the work completion seminar (WCS). This process proved to be both rewarding and challenging. Fortunately, I had the unwavering guidance and support of my supervisors, Dr. Tan and Dr. Pung, who have been by my side throughout this academic pursuit, enabling me to freely and courageously navigate the path of scientific research. Under their mentorship, I gained a profound understanding of the significance of a teacher's care and support for students. Their example and encouragement have inspired me deeply, providing valuable lessons on how to excel as a competent and caring university teacher. I will always cherish and be grateful for what I have learned in UTAR.