Interview with Tze Jian Chin

Celebrating Graduate House:

60 years a Residential College

Our interview series continues. Councillor of The Graduate Union, Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM sat with two members, Resident member Tze Jian Chin and Student member Yuxuan Luo who, although provide different perspectives, share one common sentiment - both are proud to be a part of the Graduate House collegiality!

Interview with Resident member Tse Jian Chin

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Several people have told me that I must talk to you because of your valuable contribution to Graduate House, not least because you have been extremely successful in getting students involved in sporting activities. Before you tell me about this, let me ask, how long you have been living at Graduate House? I came here in December last year.

I understand that you are enrolled at The University of Melbourne. Yes, I am a PhD candidate and just submitted my thesis last month.

Congratulations! Working on a Phd requires a huge commitment. What is your field? Medicine and Health science. I have been working on it for about four years. (I took a little leave during the height of covid). Bravo on coming to the end of the journey! Were your prior studies in Malaysia? Yes, I was born in Ipoh, which is about two hours north of Kuala Lumpur. My undergraduate and master degrees are both from Malaysia – a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Biomedicine.

What was your Phd research on? Basically, it’s about the effect of statins on cognition. In my group, we have 30 years of data, from 1992. We looked at statin usage in people. When the participants in this ongoing research came in, we looked at their statin usage and cognition, and gave them various neuro-cognitive tests. Essentially, we compared the results from statin users and non-statin users. We have found some very interesting and important results.

Have your results shown that cognition can be affected by statin usage over time? Yes. But, of course, cognitive impairment can also just be related to age, not necessarily to statin usage.

How will your research be used? That’s a very good question. My research definitely showed that something is going on in relation to statins and cognition. But my results cannot be generalised: they apply to a particular, defined cohort.

What would you like to do now? I am applying for jobs in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology fields. The particular job I would like is in Medical Science Liaison (MSL). I have been trying hard with applications, but even though the advertisements don’t always say they require someone with experience, it is only after I enquired that this is mentioned. I am only ‘entry level’ but I’m competing with others who have experience. This has been a bit disheartening. I’m also applying for jobs in medical departments; maybe clinical research.

You are not alone in feeling this frustration; many others in your situation have expressed similar thoughts. The irony is that you need to get a job in order to get the experience that companies are looking for. Don’t give up! And, of course, the research that you have been engaged in for your PhD has given you valuable experience in itself. You’re at the point where not only are you on top of current thinking in the field – but you also, clearly, have the desire and enthusiasm to continue learning and researching. Indeed, there are some who believe that people like you, who have just completed a PhD, are so keen that they work twice as hard as some others – and often bring new insights and perspectives to whatever the task is. Thank you for this encouragement.

You came to Melbourne about four years ago? Yes, when I arrived at the end of July in 2018, I stayed initially in a ‘homestay’ in Brunswick. It was a very good experience because it helped me to get to know quickly more about the culture here. And then, in 2019 I moved to Newman College until September 2020 when I returned to Malaysia because my mother was sick. I remained there for 15 months, partly because of travel restrictions and also because I took leave from my PhD studies for five months. I resumed my studies in March last year but didn’t come back to Melbourne until last December when I was part of Victoria’s International Student Arrival program; the government arranged a flight for us. I decided to live in Graduate House because I think that most residential colleges are more suitable for undergraduates.

Tze Jian Chin

I had heard great things about Graduate House, which focuses on graduates. I feel that the life of a graduate research student can be very lonely and isolated and I believed that by coming here I would get to meet people from all walks of life – not just students. And others who are in residence here have life experiences that I can also learn from. It has been a good decision. As a postgraduate student, and at my age, I didn’t want the ‘scrutiny’ that is associated with most residential colleges.

I understand what you are saying. I have lived as a postgraduate student in a college, and also been a Deputy Head in one and an Associate Dean in another. Many people at Graduate House have spoken so positively of what you have done since coming here in trying involve the residents in various sporting activities and other events. I’m a member of the committee of The Graduate House Student Group (GHSG). I’m the Sports Coordinator. I play a lot of sports, even though I don’t excel in every one of them. I’m certainly a sports enthusiast and very passionate about sports. I also watch a lot of sports, mostly soccer, but since coming here I have a new favourite sport – AFL. I support Geelong. I’m also a Duty Resident here and am most grateful to Daniel Clark for the trust he has put in me in appointing me to this position. I had a similar appointment at Newman College where I was a Duty Tutor. All of this has given me very valuable experience.

I’ve been told that you have really encouraged students (and other residents) to get involved. We would like to get even more resident involvement at Graduate House, not only in sports, but in other areas as well. What you have managed to do with respect to sport is such a wonderful example to all of us. What else should we be doing in order to make the place a more vibrant and inviting one? Apart from sports, we also have an Activities Coordinator as part of our Graduate House student group; unfortunately, she has left and her position have not been replaced. Sometimes we have organised activities like a movie night or a games night. I’m a little disappointed that this semester has not been as successful as semester 1. Part of this, I feel, is that there is not the same sense of coherence among us. Of course, in semester 1, it was the start of a new year and everyone was much more interested in meeting people and socialising. But I don’t feel the same sense of collegiality this semester. Part of the problem, I think, is that the student group itself needs to be much more active; we ourselves need to show more leadership.

It concerns me when I see several residents eating at a table alone. (I realise, of course, that sometimes people do just want to eat by themselves - but I don’t think this is the norm.) I agree. My experience of living in a residential college convinces me that a round table is more conducive to conversation. Certainly, long tables are not as effective because it is impossible to engage in conversation with everyone. Meal times can be an important way of meeting other residents and making friends. It’s understandable, of course, that some people tend to feel more comfortable eating with those from their own language group – but it would be nice if they could also be encouraged to mix more as they develop confidence. In other words, the residents themselves have to be encouraged to be open to meeting others; and in one sense they have to help themselves before anyone can help them.

Perhaps the student committee could take a lead in encouraging students to meet and engage in conversation at meal time – and, of course, at other times as well? I agree. I think we on the student committee need to re-examine our structure and role so that we can do more to involve residents and help make Graduate House even more vibrant. It is important that we function effectively as a team; and we need to show more enthusiasm ourselves. Is there anything that the management or The Graduate Union Council can do to assist? I think it is best if it comes from the residents themselves. As I have said, I think that our student committee needs to reflect on what we do and how we can contribute more effectively into the future. It is a challenge for all of us. But I do think that we have not been as effective this semester as we were in semester 1.

I am sure that coming out of two years of Covid lockdowns has not made things easy for anyone but, as you say, now is the time for re-examining past practices and considering new possibilities as we confront the ‘post-covid’ era which has also seen the admission of a limited number of undergraduate students as residents. Can you give us some advice about how to start afresh at the beginning of next year? I hope there will be a new student committee that will be highly engaged with all residents, recognising that we have different age groups, students at different stages of their university experience, and residents who are here as visiting professors for various periods of time. It is important that the enthusiasm and ‘momentum’ be maintained throughout the year and not drop off the in the second part of the year, as has tended to be the case this year.

I thank you for what you have done since coming here last December. you sense of enthusiasm and love of sport has clearly been of benefit to many residents. Thank you too for your important contribution as Duty Resident. And you have done all of this valuable work whilst completing your Phd thesis! All of us at Graduate House are indebted to you. Good wishes for the next stage of your career.