Outline:

1. Intro: unspoken expectations
   • Students feel lost; feedback is “make it stronger” but not specific.
   • Aim: decode the usual expectations for a strong proposal.
2. Element 1 – A focused, justified problem statement
   • Show how to go from a broad issue to a sharp problem.
   • Importance of context and citing a few key sources.
3. Element 2 – Clear objectives and research questions
   • Distinguish between overall objective and specific questions/hypotheses.
   • Examples in business/trade.
4. Element 3 – Coherent proposed methodology
   • Design, population, sampling, instruments, and basic analysis plan.
   • Supervisors look for feasibility and internal consistency.
5. Element 4 – Contribution and feasibility
   • Why the study matters (theoretical, practical, regional).
   • Timeframe, resources, and ethical considerations.
6. Element 5 – Professional presentation
   • Structure, referencing, language quality.
   • How a neat, well‑organized proposal builds trust.

Soft pitch: SATC proposal‑building help

Describe how the training supports participants in designing and writing strong, supervisor‑ready proposals.