VU's dynamic research community

The impacts of tourism for local residents in a southern China city is the foundation of Victoria University (VU) researcher Helly He’s PhD.

Helly is completing a PhD in Tourism Management at Victoria University. She is researching the impacts of tourism for locals in Guilin, one of the best-known tourist destinations in China. Guilin attracts millions of visitors each year for its dramatic natural landscape.

While it's too early to draw conclusions from her research, Helly says VU’s Graduate Research Centre has provided excellent training and support during her research journey. Helly began her research in 2015 when she was offered a joint scholarship from VU and the China Scholarship Council to study her masters and PhD at VU.

As research students, we are given the opportunity to be involved in many activities, including a research ambassador program which provides peer-to-peer support.

"We also have access to workshops, research festivals and a Three Minute Thesis Competition, where you have to present your research topic to a general audience in under three minutes.

Overall, the support and resources we receive at VU are above the standard of most Australian universities – it’s a dynamic and supportive environment.

I am especially grateful to VU and the China Scholarship Council for making my research dream a reality."

An alumna of China’s Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) – one of VU’s international delivery partners – Helly says she is grateful to the supervisors at VU, who have not only helped consolidate her ideas and research discoveries but also provide support to Helly as an international student.

"Because English isn’t my first language, VU provides postgraduate writing support so that I can perfect my academic writing."

"The supervisors here are more than just supervisors – they’re mentors because they are encouraging, supportive and they know research very well."

Course studied

Doctor of Philosophy (Tourism Management)

Apply for a research degree

Find out how to apply for research degree such as:

• Masters by Research: build on skills and knowledge from your undergraduate degree.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): conduct research that leads to new knowledge or re-interprets existing ideas, theories and approaches.

Student stories

See more international student stories.