QuSI Lab Researcher Arman Sykot Featured in a Bangladeshi Newspaper

QuSI Lab researcher Arman Sykot was featured in an interview titled “A Great Opportunity Is Waiting for Researchers in South Korea,” sharing his academic journey to Korea University, his experiences in Korea’s research environment, and his current research on diamond NV centers and NMR.

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A great opportunity is waiting for researchers in South Korea

The youth of the country are now not only dreaming, they are turning those dreams into research. One such example is Arman Sykot. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from North South University, Dhaka, he is now doing a PhD in Quantum Information Physics at Korea University in South Korea. Recently, his innovative research paper on Quantum and Classical Cryptography was published on the international platform. The scientific community of bangladesh has recognized him as a scientist of the “Gen-Z New Generation.” Currently, he is a researcher at Seoul’s Quantum Sensing and Imaging Lab. Dr. Moshiur Rahman interviewed this young researcher.

You have published multiple research papers while still in Bangladesh. How was the experience? Did it inspire you toward higher education in Korea?

To be honest, publishing research papers at the undergraduate level did not feel very difficult to me. At North South University, I took a course under Dr. Mahdy Rahman Chowdhury mainly out of curiosity to learn something new. At that time, I had no plan to publish a research paper. Later, with the help of Mahdy sir and my research collaborators, my first work was completed. That experience encouraged me toward new research and helped me the most on the path to higher education in Korea.

How was the journey of getting a scholarship in Korea? From the application to the final selection, which things worked in your favor?

My academic result was not very good. So, at the beginning, I started emailing professors to find funding. I did not prioritize any country or university. Instead of sending a general email, I read the professors’ work and wrote to them according to my own interests. I gave interviews in different places and received positive responses in most cases.

The main reason was that I had a clear idea about my work. In the end, the current supervisor Professor Lee did not just look at my CV; I think he found my research interest and communication style the most suitable.

What kinds of differences did you experience between universities in Bangladesh and Korea’s research-based programs?

The biggest difference I noticed is in the syllabus and content. In Bangladesh, the same topic is often taught for many years. But here, the syllabus is prepared from recent journal articles. Alongside that, the lab facilities are very strong—necessary instruments and equipment are easily available. There is a clear difference in the quality of teaching and research opportunities.

How has your experience been with Korea’s research environment? Did your expectations match reality?

Before coming, I had heard that Korean lab culture is very intense. But personally, I have not had such an experience so far. In fact, my experience has been better than my expectations. Our lab has collaborations with institutions like KIST, UCSB, MIT, and ETH Zurich. Recently, through discussion with a researcher from ETH Zurich, I learned that our lab equipment is even more advanced than theirs, which I had not imagined before coming to Korea.

How is learning the Korean language going? How much of a barrier does language create in daily life or research?

I have not started learning Korean yet. As a PhD student, I do not feel it is a major obstacle. Here, most people are educated, so it is possible to communicate using translators. But learning the language is definitely necessary. I will definitely learn it when I get time.

After coming to Korea, what new things did you learn in scientific thinking that would have been difficult to learn if you had stayed in Bangladesh?

Koreans are very strong in mathematical thinking. In Bangladesh, we usually want to memorize first then probably understand things; then we begin with derivations, and after that we go into deeper explanations. But here, they want to see derivation based evidence for every subject. When I say that we do not have any experimental setup in our country, they are surprised. To them, this is unrealistic.

How much time did it take to adapt to Korean lifestyle and people? Did you ever feel like going back?

People’s behavior made things easiest for me; they are very helpful. A lab mate helped me find a house; another random person at subway station left his own train to guide me in the metro. The weather is also wonderful; there is no dust or pollution. The sky is clear, the roads are clean, and the city is full of flowers in spring. At the first day, I was feeling bad and was missing my home, but later I started exploring around the city. Now that I am getting used to and everything is feeling like home again.

Do you have communication with Bangladeshi students or expatriates in Korea?

There are not many Bengalis or South Asian people here. Among foreigners, students from Europe and the Middle East are more common—many come from Kazakhstan, Russia, and the United States. The presence of South Asians is comparatively low.

What is your current research topic? Can any practical application of it be seen in Bangladesh or South Korea?

Currently, I am working on diamond NV centers and NMR. The research topic is not fully fixed yet, but the possibility of moving toward quantum sensing related thing. I wish to have significant progress in this area, then I wish to make impact globally, not just in South Korea.

What is your advice for young people who want higher education or scholarships abroad?

Do not come just for a scholarship; you should come into research from real interest and curiosity. That is how opportunities are created by themselves. In our country, many people publish research papers only with the goal of getting a scholarship, which is not good for building a long-term research culture. If research starts from genuine interest, then research papers will happen, and opportunities will also come.