Gazi Tawfiq Ezaz: The success of a doctoral student fundamentally depends on the interaction of students and supervisor. The most influential aspect of a Ph.D. is choosing a supervisor. Maintaining an effective relationship with a supervisor is essential to the successful completion of the doctoral degree. Good communication can help to maintain and promote a strong relationship with the supervisor.

Since 2018, I am a Ph.D. scholar at Hohai University, Nanjing, China. I am working as a graduate research assistant in the State key laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering and actively involved in researching the impacts of climate change on water resources under the supervision of Prof. Ke Zhang (http://landhydro.org/en/home/). Prof. Ke Zhang is a Ph.D. advisor in the Center for Global Changes and Water Cycle, College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University (https://ie.hhu.edu.cn/2019/0429/c7313a190239/page.htm). Prof. Ke Zhang achieved his doctoral degree from the Univeristy of Montana, Missoula, USA.  Prof. Zhang was awarded China’s “Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents of Jiangsu Province” and “Six Talent Peaks Project in Jiangsu Province.”

I have been involved in researching various national and international Projects with Prof. Ke Zhang and his collaborators during my Ph.D. life. My involvement in the joint work with my supervisor contributes to the effectiveness of the learning process and can lead towards higher academic achievement. I am pretty satisfied with the contribution from my supervisor regarding analysis of scientific information, formulation of research questions and hypotheses, data collection and representation, etc. Prof. Zhang motivates us at every stage of the research work. His positive feedback and explanation of research operations, helping me to learn every stage of research effectively.

Total of 39 members in our lab, and we are divided into 4 sub-groups. Usually, we have our lab meeting after every 7 days to discuss our research ideas and improvements with our supervisor. During lab meetings, Prof. Zhang trained us on how to solve research problems and achieve our goals. Prof. Ke Zhang always gives us essential tips about preparing a manuscript for publication in an International Scientific Journal.

We are very grateful to Prof. Zhang that even during this pandemic time, he is supporting us continuously. We maintained social distance during the Covid-19 pandemic, but we all connected with our supervisor via online. We conduct our lab meetings via QQ/Zoom meetings. Many international students of our lab live outside of China now due to pandemics. But we all are connected with our supervisor through WeChat, QQ or email. Prof. Zhang reply us whenever we need his advice and supporting us to complete our research proposals, pre-defense and final defense via online meeting.