The University of Bayreuth offers a great support for PhDs through its BIGSAS program

Today, we meet with Abdellah Idhssaine, a Ph.D. candidate pursuing a doctorate in Sociolinguistics under a Cotutelle program between Mohammed V University, FLSH, in Rabat and the University of Bayreuth, under its BIGSAS program, in Germany.

He draws on his experience at the University of Bayreuth and provides us with some practical tips for prospective doctoral candidates.

Hello Abdellah, nice to meet you and thanks for sharing your experience with us as Ph.D. candidate! Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

 In 2013, I first graduated with a BA degree in English studies (Linguistics) from Hassan II University, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, in Casablanca. After that, I attended Mohammed V University in Rabat where I attained my MA degree in Language and Linguistics in 2013/15, followed by a gap year to prepare for my doctoral proposal. And since 2016, I have been a doctoral candidate conducting research on the sociolinguistics of indigenous languages in North African, with a focus on Moroccan language policy and the Amazigh/Berber language revitalization in Morocco.

What is your Ph.D. about?

The constitutional reform that took place in 2011 has led to the introduction of the Amazigh language (Berber) as the second official language of Morocco alongside Modern Standard Arabic. In my research, I am looking at extent to which this dynamic and the changes in the Moroccan language policy have contributed to the revitalization of the Amazigh language by assessing different aspects of its ethnolinguistic vitality using UNESCO’s Language Endangerment and Vitality Model. An attempt is made to investigate patterns of language use and transmission within the Amazigh communities as well as in different priority domains of public life, governed by the recently validated organic law 26.16.

To do so, extensive fieldwork has been conducted in 8 different Amazigh language areas where data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation to some extent.

How did you come to the idea of working on this topic?

Beyond my interest in languages from early on, the topic is connected to my personal history. I am Amazigh/Berber, yet my parents did not pass on the Amazigh language to me. My first language is actually Moroccan Arabic (Darija), so I see myself as the product of language loss. I thought it would be interesting to investigate the overall dynamics of Amazigh language practices in light of the recent changes in the Moroccan language policy. I was really proactive in writing the proposal for my doctoral project because I wanted to stick to issues related to the Amazigh/Berber language as research object, while taking into account the framework offered by my supervisor.

You have just explained the reasons why you chose the topic. What were your motives for embarking on a doctorate?

Actually, my initial plan was to do a Bachelor and then go for a training to become a teacher of English. But during the last year of my Bachelor degree, I met a professor who encouraged me to enrol in a Master’s program because I was capable of it. I took the plunge and applied for a Master’s program in Linguistics. I have chosen one that was research oriented as it was clear that I would go on with a PhD if I were admitted to a Master program. There is no big difference on the job market in Morocco between a Bachelor and a Master graduate as far as English studies is concerned. The difference is when you make it to the PhD level. And as I am full of curiosity the doctoral education is a perfect match for me!

As a curious person, the international experience during your PhD was the right thing to do. Can you tell us more about how your project with Bayreuth came into place?

At the beginning, I was thinking of going to the USA through a Fulbright scholarship, but then my professor told me about the opportunity of doing a joint PhD with the University of Bayreuth, under the programme of BIGSAS (Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies).

So I thought about this option and found it quite appealing: I would be funded and enrolled in a doctoral structure offering a variety of programmes for young researchers. Germany is closer to Morocco than the USA so it is easier and cheaper to come back if necessary. I have some family members there too. I also knew that the University of Bayreuth was offering great research facilities.

What made me choose Bayreuth over the USA was the fact that I would get a double PhD degree, and not just a certificate of mobility as it would be the case with a Fulbright scholarship. A double degree means you get the same diploma as anyone doing a traditional PhD in Germany – the same value. This makes a significant difference and offers broader perspectives afterwards. Bayreuth was definitively the best choice for me.

Care to tell us more about this?

Yes, of course. The University of Bayreuth offers a nice environment and great facilities to do research. You have an easy access to a diversity of resources, which is not that easy when you are in Morocco for instance. You can also book any courses you need for your development online. The university delivers many activities and incentives to make you succeed.

It also provides you with enough support. In addition to the scholarship I received from BIGSAS, they helped me find accommodation in a student residence so I did not have to go through the pressure of finding one abroad.

Bayreuth is a medium-sized city. You can socialise easily, especially when you are part of programmes such as BIGSAS, and every time you walk in the streets, you happen to meet someone you know. You do not feel isolated unless you choose to.

Last but not least, I have a good relationship with my co-supervisor in Bayreuth. She was appointed as my co-supervisor because she has expertise in Arabic sociolinguistics. I had had several informal meetings with her before the project started, which helped us get to know each other. Our collaboration runs smoothly, without too much bureaucracy or too much micro-management. I felt comfortable working with her and discussing different aspects of my project. That helps!

As you are part of a joint PhD programme, you have to split your time between the University of Rabat and the University of Bayreuth. How does your mobility schedule impact your project?

The plan was to spend the first year in Rabat, the second year in Bayreuth, and the final years back in Rabat. I benefited greatly from my time in Bayreuth, especially because I took the time to prepare for my research stay in advance. As I could pilot my research instruments in Morocco and conduct fieldwork in the Amazigh regions involved in my study, I arrived in Bayreuth with some raw data. So, together with my Moroccan supervisor and my German co-supervisor, we conducted a preliminary analysis to make sense of the data. This also gave me the opportunity to participate in the BIGSAS colloquium and discuss with other colleagues and professors from BIGSAS. I also participated in two summer schools and a few national and international conferences where I presented my first results.

As you move from one system to another, can you tell us what are the major differences between Morocco and Germany in terms of interpersonal relation, and more specifically between a PhD candidate and his supervisor?

From what I could observe, and I suppose it also depends on personality, professors in Germany, of course not all though, do not have a top-down approach and are keener to ask about your ideas and views on a given topic or project. By doing so they motivate their students.

What I really appreciate at the University of Bayreuth is its friendly but professional environment: I do not think it is difficult to reach out or address a professor.

According to you, what are the main benefits of doing a joint PhD with Bayreuth?

There are plenty! First, I discovered a different higher education system. I extended my network by meeting different international researchers and professors in various academic events. I could also learn some German, even though you can perfectly survive speaking only English as the campus is very international.

Being part of BIGSAS has been a great asset as a PhD candidate. First, because when you get a scholarship, it somehow makes you stand out since not everyone gets its financial support. Second, by being part of this community, you benefit from feedback from researchers who are coming from different fields and who see your work differently from you. This is very beneficial and helps you put things into perspective or gives different insights into your topic.

To conclude, which advice would you give to prospective PhD candidates in Bayreuth?

Generally speaking, I would recommend students not to jump directly into a doctorate after their Master’s degree but rather to take the time necessary to develop their project, especially by identifying the scientific gap(s) their project can fill in.

Finding the right supervisor for you is not an easy task and requires some time. You need to find an expert in your field who is not necessarily the most famous professor. It is better for you to find the best matching supervisor both scientifically and personally, someone who will support you through the different stages of your PhD project, understands you and considers your opinion. Dare asking students who are supervised by the professor you would like to work with what kind of supervision s/he is offering. Check then if it suits you.

The University of Bayreuth is really a great place to do research, I really loved it there. I got access to great facilities and a variety of courses, support from professors. I could participate in many conferences or summer schools, so it was really good. It’s a pity however that only few North-African doctoral candidates are hosted there: I strongly encourage them to apply!

As an extrovert in a medium-sized city, I could easily socialise with different people, and not only the ones from the BIGSAS community. It is important not to limit yourself to your own group of people: by letting go, by breaking boundaries, that’s when you really discover yourself. The socialising part in your mobility somewhat has an impact on your academic performance. Dare going to the others!

Thank you Abdellah for your time and for sharing your experience with us!!!