It has been more than a month since i submitted my dissertation. This was my first proper academic project which i have been working since June this year. With this submission, i have completed Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship MSc program in University of Manchester. I havent got my final grade yet but hopefully it wont be too shabby.
This dissertation project has been both exciting and exhausting at the same time. I deliberately chose the topic that i most interested with . However, there were still many times during the work that i became so fed up and wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. In the end, the project made me learn a lot about how to do scientific project, building arguments, critically reviewing academic papers and executing research project.
Along the way of working this dissertation, i’ve been getting a lot of help both directly and indirectly. Hence this post serves as thank you note for everyone who has been supporting me in finishing this work.
Proposal of my research can be seen here. Ill post summary and conclusion of my dissertation in the upcoming post, hopefully. I was proud of my work before submission but after reading it again after getting good night sleep, i realised it was shit haha.
I would like to dedicate my first thank you to my dissertation supervisor, Dr Elvira Uyarra. Reading Elvira works on innovation policy was one of the trigger that made me chose Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship program in Manchester. I even referred her works in my scholarship application to convince Indonesian government that Manchester is the place to be to learn about innovation. As supervisor, Elvira has been helping me a lot in shaping my ideas, building theoretical framework and even fixing my grammar.
I want to also thank my Research Method professor, Frank Boons. He designed his class in order for students to make step-by-step research progress every week hence it was very useful for me which never done any proper scientific research. On top of that, he was also very responsive and thorough in giving feedback which further support me in shaping rough ideas into research proposal. I once gave him draft at 2 in the morning and before 8, Frank wrote a page full of detailed revision.
I was also get support from my other professors and faculty members in the brainstorming phase. Hence my thanks to Kieron Flanagan, Bruce Tether, Marcella Miozzo, Jonathan Pinkse for the advices.
Next on my thanks list is the founders, activist, journalist, managers, developers and enthusiast in Jakarta digital startup scene which was the topic of my dissertation. These are the good people which helped me in various ways. From agreeing to be respondent, providing raw data, introduce me to people and support me in navigating the ins and outs of the industry. For that, i will be forever be grateful
So lets start!, i would like to say my gratitude to : Yasaka Rani from Blibli, Oky Mauludani from Traveloka, Muhammad Ihsan from Tokopedia, Nalendra Wiryawan from Blibli & XL Axiata, Berlian Agusta from Airy Room, Christa from Womantalk, Janet Valentina from IDN Media, Leontinus Edison from Tokopedia, Rama Mamuaya from DailySocial, Aulia Halimatussadiah from Zettamedia & StartupLokal, Robi Baskoro from Duniaku, Aditya Saputra from Tripvisto & Tamasia, Yoga Nandiwardhana from Google Indonesia, Gery Azriel from Youtube Indonesia, Nadine Freischald from Techinasia and many others which gave comments or reply on my questions in Twitter or Linkedin.
I also getting lot of help from my classmates in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship MSc 2016 – 2017. For the feedbacks and chats during late night word count grinding in Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, my thanks to Kai, Camilo, Aisha, Shresta, Phing, Hilde, Farah, Andrea, Hector, Ravi, Nishant, Stoyko, Danai and Chiara.
Then, i would like to give my special kudos to Indonesian-IME group: Mira, Tera, Faiz, Jojo, Derian. A support group, a home away from home and best study group I have ever have.
My masters degree program and dissertation research project was funded by Indonesian Education Endowment Fund Scholarship (LPDP). This is a great program which enabled thousands of Indonesian to pursue Masters and PhD overseas. If youre planning to apply or have questions regarding the program, drop me an email (kiki dot ahmadi at gmail ) and i will gladly help you.
Lastly, to Sari and Ghazi. My raison d’etre. Thank you for accompanying me in this wonderful journey. The works is for you two.
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