Author:

Abstract

Exploding information super highway is invigorating distance education internationally. Particularly, the advances in multimedia technologies are ameliorating the ambience of the classroom mode and also enhancing interactive surroundings for the global community. In the middle of this progress, the additional career demands of specific student sections springing up should be gratified. Although the scope of the education and the access to various institutions is improving, the options and opportunities to facilitate research studies are still very limited, particularly in the areas of science, engineering, medicine, etc. Added flexibility of courses, evolving a combinatory culture across various participating universities and increased infrastructure are crucial to boost the gamut. This will open possibilities to encourage the enthusiastic students to accomplish their dreams, irrespective of their age, gender or any unavoidable circumstances.

The author’s invaluable association with the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD) as a student and the experience gained thereby has been helpful to identify certain issues. This paper highlights the motivation for advanced distance education programs in order to overcome the challenges faced by certain research students, particularly women. In essence, it hopes for an elevated global learning environment rendered to quench the quest of a global research student.