From Rejection to Recognition: My Journey Through Research and Resilience

From Rejection to Recognition: My Journey Through Research and Resilience

Success is often romanticized, but behind every achievement lies a story of setbacks, sleepless nights, and silent persistence. As I stand today with the honor of winning 1st Place in the GTCRC Proposal Writing Contest 2025, I feel it's not just a personal victory but a tribute to a journey that began with confusion, failure, and the courage to keep going.

The Beginning: A Humble First Step

It was back in July 2023, when I was serving as an Envoy of the Govt. Titumir College Research Club (GTCRC). The club had just announced its very first Intra-College Research Proposal Contest. Inspired and slightly nervous, I decided to participate—teaming up with two fellow research enthusiasts: my friend Kamruzzaman, now our club’s vice president, and Shah Al-Amin Promiz, a key figure from our 2nd executive committee.

We chose a timely yet complex topic: “Inflation and Budget 2023–24.” Though driven by passion, we were new to the world of academic research. From the literature review to structuring the proposal, every step was a challenge. I vividly remember the long list of feedback we received from our reviewers—so overwhelming that we couldn't even address it all.

Due to academic scheduling issues, our final presentation didn’t take place until February 15, 2024—almost seven months later. On presentation day, as I sat nervously listening to others present fluently in English, my heart raced. I stumbled, felt uncertain, and walked away thinking I had failed. The results confirmed that feeling—we ranked fifth out of six teams.

But something changed that day.

Instead of walking away from research, I walked deeper into it.

The Climb: Learning Through Failure

Rather than letting that initial experience define me, I let it drive me. Over the next year and a half, I remained connected to GTCRC, actively learning from mentors, seniors, and fellow club members. Two individuals, in particular, helped shape my growth:

Ali Ahmed, Founder President of GTCRC,

Eftekhan Mahmud Asik, Former Senior Vice President.

Their belief in the power of research—and in me—gave me the clarity and confidence I had been lacking. I observed, I asked questions, I participated, and slowly, I began to lead.

The Breakthrough: Proposal Writing Contest 2025

Fast forward to July 2025, the topic of this year’s proposal contest was “Impact of the July Revolution.” With real-world relevance and emotional depth, it resonated with me. Drawing from my refined research skills and past experiences, I constructed a proposal rooted in data, policy impact, and socioeconomic consequences—especially for low-income families.

This time, I didn't overthink. I just trusted the process.

And to my humble surprise, I stood first.

Beyond the Trophy: A Deeper Meaning

This recognition is more than a title—it's a reflection of resilience. It's a reminder that our past failures don’t disqualify us; they prepare us. In fact, had I not failed in 2023, I wouldn’t have pushed myself to learn more, try harder, and eventually stand where I do today.

It’s also a celebration of the people around me—my team, my mentors, and the countless members of GTCRC who inspired me to never give up. To all the participants of the GTCRC Proposal Writing Contest 2025 and GTCRC Research Fest 2.0—thank you for making this community so vibrant.

Final Words

In my 16 years of academic life, this is the first time I've placed first in any competitive event. And while this might not seem like a big deal to others, for me, it means everything.

So, to anyone reading this:

Your first attempt might not be your best.

Your first failure might not be your last.

But if you stay committed, your breakthrough will come.

#FromFailureToFirst #ResearchJourney #GTCRC #ProposalWritingContest #AcademicGrowth #MdYosuf #JulyRevolution #StudentResearch #Resilience #Gratitude

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Advancing My Research Expertise: “Research Methodology: Basic to Advanced” by Research Help Bangladesh

I’m pleased to announce the successful completion of a rigorous 3‑month, 48‑hour live online training—“Research Methodology: Basic to Advanced”—delivered by Research Help Bangladesh (15 January–15 April 2025). Guided by seasoned instructors, this program fortified my command over every stage of the research lifecycle, from conceptualization through publication.

🎯 Course Objectives & Structure

The curriculum was thoughtfully scaffolded into seven core modules. Each built upon the last, ensuring a cohesive learning journey:

1. Foundations of Research
   • Defining research paradigms: exploratory vs. descriptive vs. explanatory
   • Formulating precise research questions and hypotheses
   • Understanding validity, reliability, and generalizability

2. Referencing Best Practices & Plagiarism Prevention
   • Mastering Zotero workflows for seamless citation management
   • Differentiating common citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago)
   • Detecting and avoiding plagiarism through proper paraphrasing

3. Conducting an Effective Literature Review
   • Systematic search strategies across academic databases
   • Synthesizing findings to identify theoretical gaps
   • Developing a conceptual framework that informs study design

4. Designing Robust Research Methodologies
   • Comparing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‑methods approaches
   • Sampling strategies (probability vs. non‑probability)
   • Questionnaire/scenario design and pilot testing techniques

5. Advanced Data Analysis

   • Quantitative with SPSS
     • Descriptive statistics, cross‑tabulations, and regression analysis
     • Assumption testing (normality, homoscedasticity) and model diagnostics

   • Qualitative with NVivo
     • Coding strategies: open, axial, and selective coding
     • Thematic analysis to uncover patterns, categories, and narratives

6. Crafting a Competitive Research Proposal
   • Aligning aims, objectives, and methodology
   • Budgeting, timeline, and ethical approval considerations
   • Writing persuasive problem statements and literature justification

7. Preparing Your Manuscript for Publication
   • Selecting the right journal: impact factor, scope, and audience
   • Structuring IMRaD (Introduction–Methods–Results–Discussion)
   • Navigating peer review: responding to reviewers’ comments

🛠 Hands‑On Software Mastery

• Zotero: Automated reference syncing across devices; building annotated bibliographies in seconds.

• KoBoToolbox: Designing mobile‑friendly surveys, deploying field data collection, and exporting clean datasets.

• SPSS: Performing advanced inferential tests (t‑tests, ANOVA, logistic regression) with built‑in visualization tools.

• NVivo: Tagging and visualizing qualitative insights via word clouds, cluster analysis, and coded excerpts.

By working with real datasets and project briefs, I gained confidence not only in running analyses but also in interpreting outputs for actionable recommendations.

👥 Expert Instruction & Peer Collaboration

Under the mentorship of Morshed Alam (Chief Instructor) and Dr. M. Shahanul Islam, each live session blended theory with case studies—from public health surveys to organizational behavior research. Interactive breakout rooms and group assignments fostered collaboration with fellow researchers across disciplines, enriching my perspective on cross‑sectoral challenges.

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🔑 Key Takeaways

• Interdisciplinary Rigor: I learned to adapt my methodology to economics, social policy, and environmental studies—crucial for tackling Bangladesh’s multifaceted development issues.

• Ethical Research Practice: Beyond technical skills, I embraced ethical frameworks that protect participant rights and ensure data integrity.

• Publication Readiness: Armed with a polished manuscript draft and submission checklist, I’m prepared to target peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

🎓 Certificate of Appreciation

• Certificate ID: df007016484370fd

• Issued on: 27 July 2025

   Certificate of Appreciation

🚀 Looking Ahead

This training represents a significant enhancement to my research toolkit. Over the coming months, I’ll be:

• Launching a field survey on urban livelihood resilience in Dhaka.

• Drafting a manuscript on the policy efficacy of microcredit programs.

• Collaborating with GTCRC to host a workshop on “Data‑Driven Decision‑Making” for undergraduates.

I’m grateful to Research Help Bangladesh for orchestrating such an immersive program—and to my peers for the spirited discussions. If you’re embarking on your own research journey or seeking collaboration, let’s connect!

📩 yosufpatowary@gmail.com | 🔗 LinkedIn: Md. Yosuf

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Successfully Completed “Fundamentals of Research Methodology” Training at ARI, BUET

Successfully Completed “Fundamentals of Research Methodology” Training at ARI, BUET

I am pleased to share that I have successfully completed the 7th Training Course on “Fundamentals of Research Methodology”, organized by the Accident Research Institute (ARI) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). This training program was conducted over the course of March to May 2025 and was supported by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Planning Division, Ministry of Planning, Bangladesh.

About the Training

The “Fundamentals of Research Methodology” training is designed to strengthen participants’ theoretical and practical understanding of research methods, with particular emphasis on academic integrity and scientific rigor. Throughout the training, we explored a wide range of key topics essential for high-quality research, including:

• Research design and planning
• Literature review techniques
• Quantitative and qualitative methodologies
• Data collection and analysis
• Academic writing and reporting
• Ethical considerations in research

The training sessions were conducted by distinguished academics and practitioners, offering invaluable insights from their extensive research experience.

Receiving My Certificate

One of the memorable highlights of this program was the certificate awarding ceremony. I had the privilege to receive my certificate from distinguished faculty members of BUET and respected officials from the Planning Division.

Certificate of Completion

I am proud to share my official certificate of completion for this training program.

Acknowledgments

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the mentors and organizers who made this training possible. Their commitment to academic excellence and capacity building was truly inspiring.

Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque

Director, ARI & Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET

Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Alam Talukder

Professor, ARI, BUET & Training Course Coordinator

Iqbal Abdullah Harun

Secretary, Planning Division, Ministry of Planning

Their guidance and encouragement throughout the program have been instrumental in enhancing my research competencies.

Why This Training Matters

As a student of Economics and a young researcher with a keen interest in social science, policy analysis, and development research, this training has provided me with a solid foundation in research methodology. The knowledge and skills I have acquired will significantly contribute to my ongoing and future research projects, particularly those related to economics, public policy, and sustainable development.

Furthermore, this experience has strengthened my commitment to maintaining academic excellence and conducting responsible, impactful research.

Looking Ahead

Completing this training marks an important step in my journey towards contributing meaningfully to academic and policy-oriented research. I am eager to apply these advanced methodologies to generate actionable insights for both academic and societal advancement.

I remain grateful to everyone who supported me along this journey.

Tags:

#ResearchMethodology #BUET #AccidentResearchInstitute #SSRC #PlanningDivision #Bangladesh #Research #Academia #ProfessionalDevelopment #PublicPolicy

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