PhD Defence

After lots of preparations, like setting up the room, and running from one place to the other to find keys (thanks David for all your help), the defence started. The jury gives you 35-40 minutes to present your work. Bit difficult to compress four years in such a short time. Anyway, as the President of the Jury said, "the most interesting part of the defence comes afterwards".

Exactly 36 minutes later, the presentation was finalised; and the questions started. I don't know anymore how long did it take. I have the feeling that I could answer all of them.

After the questions, there is a time of "deliberation" where the jury is absent and we just have to wait. This is a view of the room while the jury was in deliberation.

In the picture from left to right Prof. John Van Camp, myself, Prof. Patrick Kolsteren (Promoter), Prof. Wim Verbeke, Prof. Stefaan De Henauw, Prof. Angel Gil (International Jury) and Prof. Jacques Viaene (Jury's President). This picture was taken just after the defence was ended and the Jury awarded me the degree of Doctor.

Still 15 hours to go for PhD defence

This has been a hectic day. I've practiced the presentation a couple of times alone at home, and this afternoon my friend Mirjana listened to me for the second time, and she found that it is "ok". Mie Remaut, another friend and colleague listened the presentation later so in total I guess I've repeated it like 6 or 7 times. I want to publicly thank them for their help and valuable input for this presentation.

Finally, with 24hrs delay, the book of the thesis arrived. It looks nice. This is aparently over, and I don't want to even look inside, in fear that there's something wrong (it will be of course). Anyway, time is going on, and the "big day" is approaching.

I wonder how is life after a PhD defence, and apparently many have survived. I'm thankful to God for this new step in my life, and pray that He blessed the forthcoming ones.

23,5 hours to the PhD Defence

I'm simply stressed. In less than one day, the defence will take place. In principle they give you 40-45 minutes, but it is generally appreciated that you can finalise the presentation in 35 minutes. Well, I will do my best. The power point presentation is ready, and I've been going through it several times. Never good enough.

I will be heading to the faculty in a couple of hours, where the books should have arrived, and hopefully will distribute them to some of the Jury members. I hope none of the Murphy Laws will apply like "if there's something that can go wrong, it will".

Did not realise how important this day is to me. Actually, since I'm not married this is so far my biggest day. So, in many ways I want it to come, but in many others i wish it were past already. I still want to find Jesus in all of this, and my prayer is that He may grant me peace and all blessings. A friend sent me a message with the following: (Thanks Mark!)

Just prayed for you and I thought the Lord might be saying the
following: 'Remember the end game: I look forward to welcoming you in my throne room with my son by our side'
Good luck with the thesis!
Regards,

If you read this, please pray for me!

Invitation to the Public Defence of my PhD Thesis