depends what kind of certification. It boils down to the direction of your desired area and focus on studies.

For example if your doing a phd in pharmacology vs work experience. If you want to end up in a foreign leading pharmaceutical company you would need the phd.

Doing your phd doesnt stop you from getting work experience. But you have to remember it is difficult to go the other way from work experience to getting your phd.

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Added on November 4, 2011, 5:54 pmEndorsed doctorates i.e Doctor of Engineering and the prestigious Doctor of Science are classed slightly different. Essentially by having a declared area of study I assume for D.Eng are not exclusively awarded unlike the D.Sc. But similarities are you require substantial work experience to be entitled the opportunity to study.

DPhil the same as PhDs. Most former British colonies call them phds

DBa... throw a stone you will get someone with a DBa. Those are doctorates of business.

It does vary from country to country.

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Added on November 4, 2011, 6:02 pmI did my Masters of Applied Science in Auckland now I am a post doctorate.
Malaysian universities have a lot more resources, it is really your area of research and which university your going to. Pick a local university which is the best in your field of interest and study. Also you got to get to know your supervisor and you have to be compatible with the way he guides you towards your research goal, if not you will really struggle with your postgraduate study.

Malaysia has a ridiculous funding scheme for research provided your at the right university. So dont rule out local institutions immediately. I also recommend going to a university which has A grade english journal publications as a requirement for your phd.

This post has been edited by snackmonster: Nov 4 2011, 06:02 PM

I live in a semi interesting area. A few folks on the same road as me are phd holders in their respective fields lets not play the race card here some of them are chinese and Indians too. They live in multi milliondollar homes with porsche and new bmws. I guess being the r&d director, director for a glc or multinational can pay off huh?

You have perseverance and proven great background in your area of study you can succeed.

As for those top officals you talked too? I know a few director generals of their respective ministries they all studied their phds before coming back to serve the government.. ended up as the top dog of all government sector workers.

Some may say yes phds are more for academics... but if you want to be a professor regardless of your phd which you will require you need great A grade publications which are well cited end of study.

Industry Example:
Let me be as blunt and direct for example I know a guy who got a funky ass phd in silicon engineering he is working at Intel here in Malaysia

I know another guy whom got his phd in palm oil he works as the r&d director for sime darby.

Specialized industries which are not as simple as filling sachets of sugar will look at investing in quality talent with phd holders to support their backroom.

At the end of the day it is what you yourself make yourself become with the resources you have.

This post has been edited by snackmonster: Nov 9 2011, 09:42 PM