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Three students recently graduated from UWA's School of Agricultural and Resource Economics (SARE) with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Each of these three students originates from a different country, and each has a different research focus in the field of applied economics. But they have at least a couple of things in common: research interests related to the production or distribution of food; and a very positive experience attaining their PhDs.

Donkor Addai started his PhD studies in 2009. Originating from Ghana - a country where agriculture takes up more than half of the total land mass - Donkor's thesis research was based on farming in Western Australia, analysing the economics of adaptation to climate change by broadacre farmers. After submitting his thesis Donkor commenced working for the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences in Canberra, where he continues to contribute to valuable farming research. "My PhD experience at UWA has fully prepared me in assisting our hard working farmers to be efficient, sustainable and globally competitive", Donkor said.

Hoda Abou Gamos, who came to Perth from Egypt, commenced her PhD at UWA in 2008 and felt that gaining her PhD was a long but very worthwhile journey. "Being away from my family was really compensated by my newly-established family at SARE; by people who care and have always been there". Hoda's thesis was an economic analysis of the grain market - specifically an analysis of surveillance and quality assurance as strategies to maintain grain market access. Of her time at UWA Hoda was grateful to everyone who helped, supported and encouraged her through the journey; "My PhD experience at SARE was and will continue to be a life-time experience."

Muhammad Khalid Bashir (Khalid), who commenced at SARE at UWA in 2009, based his thesis research on his home country of Pakistan. His research was on the topic of rural household food security in the Punjab region of Pakistan - specifically on measurement, determinants and policy. Khalid acknowledged the financial support he received from his home country's government in order for him to complete his studies full-time in Australia. "My stay at SARE was insightful. I had a great educational experience". Khalid has returned to Pakistan after graduating from UWA and his work will continue to contribute to solving the problem of food security for the poorer households in Punjab. "The teaching and research calibre of the staff of SARE is on the highest level with additional qualities of care, love and patience" Khalid said, "I would not hesitate to share my experiences or to encourage others to earn their higher degrees, especially PhD level from SARE".

The School has gained much from these PhD students, too. All three students have been a big part of the SARE community over the past several years, and are very much missed now they have finished their studies. But the School wishes them all the best for the future. All three are sure to make a great contribution to their fields in the years to come.

Pictured: Dr Hoda Abou Gamos on her graduation night, April 2014.

Media references

Media contact: Emma Smith, School Manager, School of Agricultural and Resource Economics

For reference: https://www.are.uwa.edu.au/research/postgrads