PhD in Information and Communication Systems Engineering (ICSE)

The Programme of the of ICSE envisages to equip postgraduate ICT engineers with academic and professional competencies and innovative skills to develop new models or modify existing ones and develop/ modify communication systems that will be used by technologists to design new technologies, industrialists to find industrial solutions, policy makes to make decisions, design policies and plans and to exploit the vast amount of data for optimal gains.

Entry Requirements

(a)  PhD by Coursework and Dissertation

1. Possession of at least a second-class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering; Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Networks from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field of his/her specialization.
2. Possession of a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering; Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Networks, or related fields of study in the specialization. The degree must be from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent and at least an average of “B+” in the relevant subjects or field of specialization.
3. The applicant may be expected to pass an entry assessment, which may take one of the following methods: (1) personal interview, (2) written assessment, (3) interview plus written assessment, and (4) Assessment exemption (on justifiable grounds).

(b)  PhD by Research and Thesis

1. Possession of at least a second-class Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 3.0/5.0 or its equivalent or a postgraduate diploma with at least a GPA of 4.0/5.0 or its equivalent in an appropriate area of study from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning. For an applicant holding unclassified degrees should have at least an overall of “C” grade and an average of “B” grade in the relevant subject or field.
2. Possession of a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electronics Engineering; Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Networks, or any related field of study in the specialization from an accredited university or similar institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or its equivalent and at least an average of “B+” in the relevant subjects or field of specialization.
3. Demonstrate working and research experience by either producing evidence of:

(a) At least TWO years working experience in related field and at least TWO publications in accredited peer-reviewed journals, being the FIRST author in ONE publication or

(b) ONE publication and a patent/prototype emanating from his/her research/innovation work in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or

(c) A prototype that requires incubation/scaling up in line with NM-AIST’s Research and Innovation Policy, or

(d) A funded research project with a PhD training component in which the applicant is the project PI/ Co PI in a related field, or

(e) Working experience (in related field) of at least FIVE years and a statement of purpose (education background, motivation for study Programme, study plan and map, plan after study, and honors and awards).

(f) Submission along with application documents, a concise TWO-page concept note or details of a prototype of what he/she wishes to work on as part of his/her study provided it is within the NM-AIST research agenda.

(g) The applicant may be expected to defend the concept note or prototype before a panel appointed by the host School/Department to demonstrate the candidate’s research skills and work experience.

(h) The applicant should be ready to pursue prescribed skills and capacity enhancing courses which are offered to all PhD students at NM-AIST as common core courses and as may be recommended by the supervisors, to enhance research performance. The courses may be taken flexibly during the duration of the Programme but MUST be successfully completed before graduation

Areas of Specialization

1. Electronics Engineering (EE)

2. Telecommunication Engineering (TE)

Programme Duration

1. Status: Full Time
2. Years: Three (3) 
3. Semesters: Six (6)

Mode of Delivery

Face to face, Mixed (Mixed-mode (also known as blended or hybrid mode) are delivery modes where a portion of the traditional face-to-face instruction is replaced by web-based online learning)