After completing my Master’s degree, I had desire to apply for the MPhil recently, but due to my inconvenient job schedule, I could not do so. I was looking for suitable way of pursuing MPhil degree and thank God, I got it after many years of completing Master’s degree. Nepal Open University has helped to fulfill my dream. Establishment of NOU and its online mode of teaching has really made easy for the job-holding students like me. NOU has also helped the students of each nook and corner of Nepal to take class in their suitable time.
I used to write poems, Ghazals and stories from my college days. They are published in good numbers in different national literary magazines till date. As a student of journalism up to Bachelor level, I prefer to be published in newspapers, magazines and now in digital platforms. A kind of satisfaction I feel, when I see my writings get published in such platforms. Once, when my experience based write up was published in NELTA ELT Forum few years ago, I thought, I should learn to write scholarly research articles in proper way. I was known that MPhil level of study focuses more in research-based activities in its study. Therefore, I applied for the MPhil in English program of NOU, and after completing all the procedures, I am able to get in this program.
After admission, I went to Kathmandu for two days contact session of MPhil program following the notice issued by the university. There, I got chance to introduce with my fellow scholars, teachers and course of study. Altogether, there were only two subjects in first semester of MPhil in English, i.e., English in the twenty first century and, E-research. When I knew the name of subjects, I was expecting much form the subject E-research; I had expected this subject to help us write well-structured research articles, as it was described in the course syllabus as a core subject for research paper writing. But, in reality I got very less ideas about research paper writing form the teacher of this subject. The teacher of this subject just focused in e-learning than e-research and frankly speaking we did not get the ideas of writing of research articles and it made me hopeless.
Another subject for M Phil first semester was English studies in the twenty first century, and this subject basically focused English as the subject of study, different dimensions and areas within English was introduced in it. There were five units and many individual chapters were included within the units. The chapters were vast and complicated in a sense of its depth of knowledge provided about the English studies. The lecturer of this subject was Dr. Komal Phuyal. He did not describe all the units of course, but gave the gist ideas from the chapters in his own depth of understanding. He made us aware about the political and apolitical knowledge and use of English studies.
English studies in the twenty first century; this subject helped a lot to widen the concept regarding use of English language. I came to know that there are varieties of Englishes in this modern era and the area of English study is infinite. English is for communication, linguistics, rhetoric and literature. An English study has many ambiguous works to be performed in future. The difference between what is English for the people of UK and America, and what is it for non-Anglo people are discussed. From the lesson entitled ‘TESOL and the Discipline of English’, I came to know how native English speaking countries are making their language as their assets and selling it to the international language market.
Our professor Dr. Phuyal also taught the difference between critical theory and literary theory in English literature. He told us that critical theories are political and literary theories are apolitical. I still remember his example to justify his statement of political and apolitical knowledge. According to him, ‘Poetics’ of Aristotle is literary theory and it is apolitical whereas the theory of Karl Marx is critical theory and it is political. He made us understand that political theory challenges the authority but apolitical theory does not.
In a discussion on literary criticism and literary writing, our professor, Dr. Phuyal, said that literature is a way for writers to express their frustrations and depression. He also mentioned that literature often deals with harsh or unpleasant truths, but there should be an art in how the story is told. According to him, good literature requires both meaningful content and effective presentation. As a creative writer of Nepali literature his words deeply impressed me. He even defined literary criticism as scientific method of studying literature. Such discussion class really helped us to differentiate creative writing, literature and literary criticism.
In other classes we discussed about the ‘World Englishes’, this discussion helped us to classify about different circles of English, i.e. Inner circle, Outer circle, Expanding circle. Here we came to know that countries like UK, The U.S.A and Australia ( native English speaking countries) are included in inner circle, outer circle represents the colonial countries and expanding circles includes Nepal, China, Japan etc. (non-native English speaking) countries. The conclusion of this class was that, English is not the property of any particular country; it is the language to go to the larger audiences. We can understand each other’s culture through English.
Similarly, we also discussed English Studies in Indian Higher Education. Through this discussion, we learned that India was the first non-native English-speaking country where English was introduced as a subject, due to British colonization. English became the lingua franca in India’s education system and is still taught as a compulsory second or third language. The British aimed to create a sense of inferiority among Indians and introduced English to shape them into rational thinkers according to colonial interests. Today, India has a wide range of autonomous universities, where English is taught at almost all levels of study. These theoretical insights helped broaden our understanding of the role and scope of English studies.
After completing the first three units, our professor, Dr. Phuyal, assigned us the responsibility of delivering presentations and serving as commentators for the remaining units. He divided us into groups and assigned different topics. Initially, many of us were confused, but his clear guidance helped us carry out the task effectively. This practical work using PowerPoint presentations gave us valuable experience in preparing slides and presenting in front of a group, even in an online setting.
The thing I consider most important about Dr. Phuyal’s class is that he gave us technical knowledge about writing a research paper, even though it was not included in his syllabus. This was something I had been expecting from this level of study, and fortunately, he provided us with guidance right from the basics of research paper writing. Before attending his class, I had no clear idea how to begin thesis or research writing. But he made it clear that the first step is preparing reading notes. I came to understand that for conducting research-based activities, we must read texts critically and create proper reading notes. To move forward with research writing, we need to follow the steps: note, quote, and reflection. I realized that this method can save a lot of time during research and helps in gathering information or data in a systematic way. Another important thing I learned in his class was how to search for research articles and e-books from various websites. I had mentioned this interesting and useful skill in my first reflection as well. From the theoretical discussions, I also came to know that English is not just a fixed or narrow subject. It is not limited to grammar and literature alone—it covers a wide area of knowledge and information. That’s why, at present, English is regarded as a progressive subject.
As MPhil studies focuses on the research based activities and helps to prepare research articles, I I had to explore so many facts regarding research articles. I was planning to find out how research article is different from thesis writing and in which context they are similar in nature. I was trying to find whether we could prepare research articles without applying theoretical approach or not. I had many queries regarding research and research paper writing. I still had to understand about the components of research articles and had to study and know their practical and technical modalities. I already mentioned above I was expecting these things form subject E-research but it could not happen. But there was one who made us find it.
Dr. Phuyal informed us about the technical part of research writing also – Paper size A4, 1 inch margin all sides, Times New Roman, font size 12, double space etc. are the things he made us remember. He also gave ideas about work-cited methods also. We got ideas of searching digital books and articles from e-platforms from him, which helped us a lot to write our assignments in proper format.
After completing our chapters discussion and presentation individually, there came the HOT issue of organizing GRAD conference-I, though our professor was frequently talking about it from the very beginning of the session but we were not clear about the view of conference. We were in dilemma. Is it possible to organize conference without any research paper? This was the frequent striking question within us. We were little hesitated about it and expecting it to be held in second semester or the last one but there was only one confident person about this matter was Dr. Phuyal, he encouraged us more about it and gave the duty of writing research paper for conference. The nervousness and the real tension began from this very point to the students because it was really challenging task of preparing research paper within very short provided time.
I personally thought writing research article as the burden and confused myself whether I could complete the task in given time or not, but Dr.Phuyal helped all the students from selecting the text and theme for our paper writing. He provided about 18 novellas as primary text and gave open choice to us to work in any text in any theme. It made easy to most of us for selecting the text and our theme but still we have confusion about the format of research paper and the elements of it. How to start writing abstract to conclusion, we had no ideas, and again our professor Dr. Phuyal came front with detail description of all the parts of research paper. When he gave us a lot more ideas about the research paper and its components our nervousness and hesitation turned to the excitement. We first started to read the primary text. In my personal case, I had chosen the novella of John Steinbeck, The Pearl and it took me nine hours of continuous reading to understand it in proper way. It was my longest and continuous reading of M Phil first semester. After reading primary text, we started to serf internet for matter and materials of our research. It was quite challenging to find suitable and enough materials for the literature review section of the text. But Jstor and Google scholar type of platforms made it easy to deal with this matter. I found theoretical application to my research paper somehow difficult and I am yet not clear hundred percent in this part of writing.
There was short due date remaining for the submission of the first draft of our research article and we many friends were still in rush to submit on time but many of us were unable. Fragmented parts of article were mocking and making us confuse and reviewing materials of text from internet were insufficient to some of the friends. Problems were there and also the solutions but the heat of job was felt due to first experience of writing research paper to most of us.
When we completed our first draft of research article we send it to our instructor through moodle, he checked materials thoroughly and suggested us with necessary corrections. We had to correct our paper for the final draft with his suggestions but one interesting thing is that Dr. Phuyal had created one self-evaluation sheet and sent it to us. It helped us to evaluate our research paper own self. Finally, our second draft was accepted as research paper for seminar. Many students wished for online seminar due to unfavorable weather of monsoon but Dr. Phuyal persuaded us for the onsite seminar with its benefits for the presenters. At last, we all agreed with his suggestion of onsite conference. It took few days to determine the favorable date of conference and venue to all the participants including the guests of seminar.
Finally, everything was arranged, conference-organizing committee from students side also worked in proper way.
Then, all the presenters reached Kathmandu from different parts of country with excitement and curiosity.
Conference held On August 2 and 3 of 2024, at Hotel View Bhrikuti of Godawari. Dean, faculty of Education and Social Science Dr. Khagendra Prasai had chaired the program and Chief Guest was Professor Dr. Amma Raj Joshi, who was also the keynote speaker of the program. The inspiring words of Dr. Joshi made all the scholars think deeply while preparing research article. His example of horse and cart while writing and presenting research article was important for all new research paper writers like us. He suggested to respect the book, and to read in serious way of understanding, which can help to interpret the text from multiple perspectives. Similarly, Dean, Dr. Prasai gave his words to be good students of humanities and bring change in society as good person of society.
At the starting of the conference, all of the presenters looked very nervous. The fear of first experience of paper presentation had hesitated them, but slowly, after few presentations of scholars, their nervousness changed into delight and they became excited to observe and listen attentively to other’s presentation and raise question. However, they were not harsh while asking their questions. Mutual respect to each other among the presenters were seen in the conference. Though the conference was continue from 11 Am to 5 Pm it was not boring to anyone. Everyone had keen interest to learn something new from their fellow scholars.
The conference was over after two days sessions, the confidence and pleasure among the presenters were seen clearly on their face. The intimacy among the friends, sharing and caring during break time were observed in this conference. Our professor Dr. Phuyal always used to say conference is not only for the explanation of the research articles it is for the intimacy among the friends too. In this regard, he had always convinced for the onsite conference. Certainly, We all came to know the value and importance of onsite conference when we experienced it own self.
If I share my personal experience about this conference, it was amazing experience. I had never before attended such type of conference. It was such conference where I myself presented my paper in front of my professor and fellow scholars. In that sense, it is special to me. At the beginning of presenting the paper I had a bit hesitation and nervousness but the more I moved ahead presenting my paper the more my confidence level grew up and I continuously wanted to speak about my paper. After presenting my paper, I got three counter questions from my fellow scholars and at last, I was able to convince them. This made me so delighted with the successful presentation of my paper.
The conference got over with grand success and the scholars returned their own destination with smiling face. Their social media platform Facebook was filled with colorful pictures of conference. This proved that all of the scholars were delighted and satisfied with the plan of Dr. Phuyal.
Now first semester is almost over and the major tasks done in this period is successful completion of GRAD Conference I. For taking initiation to organize this program, there is the main role of our professor Dr. Phuyal. We cannot express our gratitude to him in words for his immense contributions for the success of this program. He is the designer, and the builder of this program. He gave such beautiful opportunity to us with his management. We are very happy to get such instructor and guide to our journey of M Phil studies. Authorities from Nepal Open University also became positive to organizing the program and they are also the part of our thankfulness.
In a way, I have to conclude that, my journey in M Phil in English first semester has been challenging and exciting. I learnt many things about English studies and E-research. Due to online mode of study there were few technical problems however, I overcame it and I was able to attend the class regularly and got chance to get knowledge from our professors. They tried their best from their side and we tried to internalize their insights with great efforts.
This level of study is quite different from the study of master’s degree. I came to know M Phil study more focuses to the research paper writing and presentation. Therefore, I yet have to learn more about the research paper writing in most proper way. I have dream to publish many research articles in different renowned journals. The journey of research paper writing is just started; we are not matured enough for it. Yet, there are many things to learn about research paper writing. I expect there will be more opportunities to learn about research paper writing in coming semesters. Until the ending of this level, I want to be a good research article writer, which is my major thirst to join this level of study.
