Saugat Aryal is a 2nd year PhD student working in the field of Semi-Factual Explanations in AI under the supervision of Prof. Mark Keane. I am originally from Nepal, the land of mountains. I like to believe that I am a good listener with a bit of sense of humour. I am interested in conversations regarding the philosophy of life. A goal in my life is to run a marathon (atleast a half).
What do you most enjoy about your research with Insight?
I like the diverse and inter-disciplinary research environment at Insight. Talking to people from different culture and research interests provides new perspectives on looking at things. The community is very engaging and supportive. You can always find someone to lend you an ear and have a coffee (or a pint) with.
What is the most challenging aspect of doing a PhD?
I believe the beginning can be a bit difficult. Having come from different background and trying to adapt to a new environment is not always easy. Also, it can be challenging to have a clear vision of research goals and objectives in the early days. Of course, there will be ups and downs during the journey, but once you are in motion we eventually get to that finish line.
When you’re not working on your PhD, what pastimes do you enjoy?
I love hiking and being with nature. Football, cricket, badminton and running always provides that adrenaline boost. Having a fun night out with friends helps me to relax and get out of the PhD zone for a while.
