Research Platforms' Performance Reports SEACO 2015-2017 | Page 11

STUDENT SUPPORT
The SEACO platform supports undergraduate and postgraduate
students from Monash University and other institutions in
undertaking qualitative or quantitative health research. Firstly,
SEACO facilitates the learning of undergraduate students on field
methodology (e.g. through focused group discussion in 2016 and
2017). Secondly, higher degree research students, including
Masters and PhD students, carry out primary data collection or
analysis of secondary data, taking advantage of the research
infrastructure of the platform.
As a research platform, SEACO provides training opportunities to
Masters students on original research through practical
placement. PhD students receive support on field operations
when carrying out research projects. For those with difficulties in
navigation in the field, besides providing maps, SEACO staff guide
them to the data collection sites. Translators are assigned to assist
those who are less proficient in local languages (Malay or Chinese)
in data collection. Most importantly, personnel support is given to
research students. These include data collectors and data
collector supervisors. Specifically, for research students who can
not be based at SEACO while the project is running, SEACO
assigns an internal project leader to assist on project development
and the monitoring of data collection under the supervision of
the research student. For instance, Ms Uttara Pratap, a PhD
student, had her project conducted at the SEACO research
platform while she was not at SEACO full time. Research students
are advised to consult SEACO staff for any issues arising while
the project is taking place. SEACO, with expertise on cultural
and field operation matters, is committed to supporting all
research students.
PhD Students
Name Title Department/Institution Study status
Ms Uttara Pratap Risk factors for cardiometabolic disease
among children in South East Asia Department of Medicine, University of
Cambridge/Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Completed
Ms Li Fang Fang An ethnographic exploration of youth’s dietary
practices in Segamat- opportunities, challenges
and preliminary findings University of Amsterdam Completed
Dr Fanna Fatima Mairami Coping strategies and impact of social support
on recovery following stroke in South East Asia GPH/SEACO In progress
Mr Julius Cheah Chee Ho Catastrophe and impoverishment from diabetes:
An exploration of the economic burden of
diabetes care GPH/SEACO In progress
Ms Naleena Devi Muniandy Complementary feeding and the
early origins of obesity risk GPH/SEACO In progress
Ms Nirmala Devarajan Investment in Quality Assurance:
Where does the value lie in research
infrastructure development? SEACO In progress
Ms Yap Kwong Hsia Health care for the chronically ill elderly:
Coping measures and outcomes GPH/SEACO In progress
10