Dear Prospective Student,
I hope you will forgive the rather "matter of fact" and impersonal nature of this statement but the sad fact is that I receive many more enquiries regarding prospects for postgraduate supervision, from overseas students, than I can possibly answer with an individualised response.
The majority of such application come to nothing. Mainly because:
REASON 1. The student is seeking financial support and I have none to offer.
There are scholarships offered by the University but they are competitive (read - hard to get) and the student must cover the fees and the expenses of living in Australia. This is about $20,000AUD for the fees and at least an extra $15-20,000AUD to live on, per annum (approx. 2008 figures).
Of course, you may be eligible for one of the small number of scholarships offered by the University and the Australian government. Places are limited and competition is heavy but if you are a good scholar, then you are very much encouraged to apply. You can apply for candidature and for scholarships at the same time - see the University web site or contact Dr. David Hemer (hemer@cs.adelaide.edu.au) who handles such requests at the Computer Science School, Adelaide University.
From time to time I may have funds from a project to support a student - THESE WILL BE ADVERTISED ON MY MAIN WEB PAGE WHEN THIS HAPPENS - www.ds.eng.monash.edu.au. If there is no mention of support there, then there is no point in asking - I do not have funds at that moment in time if nothing is advertised.
REASON 2. The student fails to gain a visa.
We have no control over the immigration authorities.
REASON 3. The student chooses to go elsewhere.
Most students are probably emailing several universities in Australia and other "western" countries. I don't blame them - I would myself - it is the obvious strategy.
REASON 4. The student fails to obtain entry to the course/candidature.
This happens rarely. Check you have the minimum academic background before applying! INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS. Entry into the course isn't so hard. Gaining a scholarhip, though, IS HARD.
The purpose of the above is NOT TO DISCOURAGE YOU. Some students DO gain entry AND a scholarship and come to my lab to study. The points I am making are:
A. This is a VERY small fraction of those that approach me (see the points above)
B. There is really no point in detailed discussions before you lodge your application unless you have your own funds or unless you feel you are a VERY outstanding student and are entirely confident of obtaining a scholarship via the normal application process. Thus you should lodge your application for scholarship and for candidature, adding your documentation as required (academic transcripts, english proficiency and other testimonials) and these forms, if you mention myself as a possible supervisor, will reach me to evaluate.
I am sorry to be so blunt and perhaps not as encouraging as you may wish. However, it is in your interests and in mine, that we don't waste time over a discussion and an application that, statistically, will not likely result in you coming into our lab to work. If you have funds or if you are very sure you ought to be considered as of a high enough standard to win a scholarship - then please *do* put in an application.
If you have funds to come here then by all means also send a CV to me BUT DO NOT SEND IT IN WORD FORMAT - I will only read attachments if they are plain text (.txt), postscript (.ps) or portable document format (.pdf).
regards and best wishes in your search for a position
d.s.