Camilo Gonzalez Becerra

Currently, I am in my final PhD year at Antwerp University, and I am Associate Professor at Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano (Colombia). I started my PhD in Antwerp and after my first year I moved back to Colombia. In Bogotá I teach classes about governance and public administration and about sectorial public policy, sometimes also research methodology.  In addition to my own PhD, it is also expected that I will engage in contract research and consultancy. Furthermore, I am involved in a research project which aims to study the coordination of the implementation of several public policies in the Colombian public sector after the peace agreement with FARC, the largest guerrilla group in Colombia.

This master programme has been useful. The training in research methods in particular has given me an advantage over my colleagues that have studied only in Colombia. I think the quality of the master programme in that regard is superb. Due to the programme, I have been able to specialise in quantitative methods, which has been a determinant in applying for a PhD position. Besides this, I have learned to judge the quality of the research of other researchers both in terms of methodology and content. This has also been valuable to me.

The Dutch education system is quite different from educational systems in many other parts of the world. It requires much more discussion and personal involvement in class sessions, peer reviewing and critical thinking. This is certainly challenging for those of us that come from a more rigid system. At the same time it gives you the possibility challenge yourself: not sticking to the readers but looking for further information, papers, data etc.. Moreover, pursuing one’s interests and not buying everything that is told. That is a very good asset for your future career.’