My PhD Journey: A Story of Resilience, Mentorship, and Determination

By Dr. Sandeep Ameet Kumar

I enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics programme at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Semester 1, 2020 as a part-time student. At the time, I was also a full-time Assistant Lecturer in Mathematics at the School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics (STEMP). Balancing both commitments required intense dedication, organization, and the willingness to make personal sacrifices.

When I began, I approached Professor Bibhya Sharma to be my principal supervisor. He kindly directed me to Professor Jito Vanualailai, with whom I had worked closely during my MSc studies. Professor Vanualailai, then and still serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education), explained that his demanding administrative responsibilities might limit the time he could dedicate to my supervision. Nevertheless, he graciously offered to serve as a co-supervisor, assuring me that Professor Sharma was equally capable and, being free from administrative duties, would provide the essential one-on-one guidance needed. As my principal supervisor, Professor Sharma also brought Dr. Avinesh Prasad onto the supervisory panel, forming a team that would shape my academic journey in extraordinary ways.

The early stages were challenging. I worked closely with Professor Sharma to refine my research objectives and began drafting research papers. Incorporating feedback from all three supervisors, we submitted manuscripts to high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. Many faced rejection or extensive revisions, while some were turned away at the first editorial review. Navigating this process while fulfilling my full-time teaching duties tested my endurance.

I still vividly remember one tough day towards the end of Semester 2, 2020. Emotionally overwhelmed, I planned to visit Professor Vanualailai for support, only to learn he was in a meeting. On my way back, I ran into Professor Sharma, who noticed my distress. I broke down. A paper review response was due the next day, and I had made little progress. Professor Sharma listened patiently and encouraged me. That night, I handed him a printed draft at 10:30 PM — both the revised article and my incomplete responses to the reviewers. He stayed up to read them, and by the following morning, he provided me with thoughtful edits and helped frame responses where I struggled. That moment reignited my momentum, and I never looked back.

Professor Sharma continued to support me beyond supervision. He welcomed me into his postgraduate mentoring sessions, where I learned how to guide MSc and PhD students, foster encouragement, and become a facilitator in research supervision. Those experiences shaped both my academic growth and mentorship philosophy.

Over the next three years, I contributed in a number of conference and journal articles and most importantly for my PhD studies published five journal articles (two in A*-ranked journals and three in A-ranked journals, as classified by USP), which formed the backbone of my thesis titled “Stabilizing Nonlinear Switched Systems for Landmark-aided Motion Planning and Control.”

In January 2024, I submitted my thesis. The review process, involving one internal and two external reviewers, brought its anxieties. I often felt impatient, but Professor Sharma’s calming words reminded me to trust the process. On the morning of my thesis defense, nerves got the better of me, and I messaged him. His reply was simple but powerful:

“No one knows better than you what’s in your thesis. Stay calm, discuss your results, breathe, and answer each question with confidence.”

That afternoon, he was overjoyed with the outcome.

Throughout this journey, Professor Bibhya Sharma has been a beacon — a humble, down-to-earth academic who leads by example. He stood by me in every challenge and milestone, offering timely advice, unwavering support, and the occasional Friday unwind with a well-deserved beer.

I am deeply thankful to Professor Jito Vanualailai, whose thoughtful guidance, including Sunday research meetings, added immense value to my work. His encouragement, despite a demanding schedule, was invaluable. A heartfelt thanks also go to Dr Avinesh Prasad for his continuous mentorship and support throughout this journey.

I must also express my appreciation to my colleagues and friends, especially Mr. Ravinesh Chand and Mr. Ronal Pranil Chand, mathematics lecturers at the Fiji National University. They offered unwavering support during tough times and shared the joy of small and big wins over a few celebratory beers.

Most importantly, I am grateful to my father, mother, and brother for their sacrifices and belief in me. To my wife, son, and daughter, thank you for your patience and understanding, especially during this journey, recognizing that, at times, I may not have given them the priority they deserve.

I am especially proud to come from a farming background, as I am the son of a small-scale sugarcane farmer with limited opportunities. Every step of this journey was built on persistence and belief. If my story can inspire even one person, then it has been worth sharing.

There is no substitute for hard work. Never give up. Never stop believing. The first step is always the most important one.

Receiving The Grand Pacific Hotel and Mash Fiji Prize for Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy — as recognized in the Letter of Commendation among the 2025 University Awards — has been a true honor. This recognition belongs to my supervisors and all those who walked beside me during this journey.

Going forward, my goal is to mentor and empower young researchers in my field while contributing to sustainable, real-world solutions that address the unique needs of Pacific Island communities. I am deeply committed to advancing inclusive societies by developing and integrating assistive and automated technologies to improve the quality of life for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. My research vision also focuses on promoting environmentally friendly transport alternatives to reduce energy consumption and pollution, introducing connected autonomous systems within smart city environments, and enhancing marine surveillance technologies to protect Pacific marine resources. Central to this vision is exploring how AI can be effectively leveraged to provide feasible and impactful solutions to these challenges. Through this work, I aspire to create meaningful change and foster a culture of innovation and social responsibility across the Pacific.