Mongolian scholar earns PhD after profound loss

Soon after starting her PhD in Auckland, Zolzaya Battsogt returned home to Mongolia to give birth to her youngest daughter. It was her fourth child: she already had twin girls and a boy.

“I left believing I would return with my newborn daughter, but I returned alone. My daughter died one week after I gave birth in hospital. It was an emotionally devastating experience for our entire family.”

Zolzaya temporarily suspended her studies and went to therapy for six months.

“As a mother of three children, and a wife, I needed to keep moving forward and accept reality, painful as it was. During that time, I promised my daughter in heaven that I would complete my degree and fulfil my dream of becoming a leader in my field.”

This May, she became the first Mongolian scholar to complete a PhD in international tax and transfer pricing at the University of Auckland.

Born and raised in Nalaikh, Ulaanbaatar, a coal-mining district surrounded by mountains, Zolzaya was the eldest daughter in her family and helped look after her four younger siblings.

“I was expected to be not only my parents’ greatest helper, but also a role model for my siblings, so I became very responsible at a young age.”

During her school years, she was interested in mathematics (and very good at it), consistently ranking among the top students in her class. She enjoyed chess and was naturally curious - eager to explore and understand new ideas.

“I grew up with the mindset: ‘I will learn this, I will understand it, and I will try. Knowledge is my power’.”

This attitude, says Zolzaya, helped her develop the ability to study independently, to approach problems analytically, and to seek a deeper understanding of issues. These qualities became fundamental to her academic and professional journey.

Zolzaya met her husband while studying trade management at the National University of Mongolia. They were classmates and hit it off.

“He’s remained my closest source of support, encouraging and believing in me through every stage of life,” she says.

After getting married, the couple had twin daughters, then a son. As they grew their family, Zolzaya also focused on expanding her academic endeavours.

She completed qualifications in English translation and accounting and later received a World Bank scholarship to pursue a masters degree in taxation in Japan, where the family lived for two years.

After returning to Mongolia, she worked at the Mongolian Tax Authority, growing her understanding of the tax system and its broader role in national development. She was given the opportunity to participate in a significant reform of Mongolia’s tax legislation, contributing to discussions and policy development on international taxation and transfer pricing. This became the focus of her doctoral research.

“Based on the findings of my research, I proposed several recommendations for improving and amending the provisions of Mongolia’s tax legislation relating to the transfer pricing of intangible assets.

“In particular, I emphasised the need for a clearer legal framework regarding the identification of intangible assets, the valuation of those assets, and the proper allocation of profits for taxation purposes.”

Zolzaya says her family's support was crucial during her studies and in day-to-day life.

“Both my mother and mother-in-law played an invaluable role in raising and caring for our children, allowing us to build our lives and continue our education. The achievements I’ve reached are not mine alone, but rather the result of the collective strength, love, sacrifice, and the unwavering support of my family.”

Tragically, three years after her daughter’s death, Zolzaya lost her doctoral supervisor, Professor Julie Cassidy, who was a respected academic, friend, and colleague to many in the Business School and the wider university.

“I still remember very clearly the morning I first walked through the doors of the University and met her for the first time. She had blue eyes, blonde hair, endless energy, and a warm smile. She moved quickly, spoke passionately, and gave the impression of someone full of life and kindness.”

At the time, Zolzaya had recently arrived in Auckland and was organising accommodation, enrolling her children in school and adjusting to a new environment.

“Professor Julie understood all these challenges. From our very first meeting, she connected me with the right people for everything I needed, including office space, furniture, student administration, and general support. She helped me in every possible way during those early stages of adjustment.

“When I received the news she had passed, I was in shock and struggled to accept the loss."

In the aftermath of Professor Cassidy’s passing, Professor Craig Elliffe stepped in as Zolzaya’s main supervisor.

“He helped fill the enormous void. He continued to support and guide me, and together we carried this long academic journey forward.”

Her other supervisor, Dr Jagdeep Singh-Ladhar, also played an important role in Zolzaya’s success.

“I was Jagdeep’s first PhD student, and she devoted special attention and support to my work. She was always approachable, collaborative, and generous in sharing knowledge.”

After experiencing such debilitating grief during her studies, Zolzaya had to keep reminding herself to move forward; little by little each day.

“I felt that I couldn’t allow myself to disappoint the people who had believed in and supported me so deeply. In many ways, I dedicated my research to them.”

Zolzaya finally made it to graduation, with an impressive, impactful doctoral thesis. It was the result of years of hard intellectual and emotional work.

“It was one of the most meaningful moments of my life, symbolising the fulfilment of the promises I had made to my daughter in heaven and to Professor Cassidy, while finally reaching a goal that had required years of perseverance, sacrifice, and resilience.”

After her studies, Zolzaya returned to Mongolia. She planned to come back to Auckland to cross the stage in person, and applied for a visitor visa. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

“Thinking the visa decision would come through, I travelled to Sydney ahead of the graduation ceremony.

“My supervisor Craig and I contacted Immigration New Zealand by email and phone many times to follow up, but the visa didn’t arrive in time.”

Despite this setback, Zolzaya had her own kind of celebration. For the first time in many years, she allowed herself to rest in Sydney without pressure, expectations, or obligations.

“It felt as though I was finally giving myself permission to breathe and reward myself for everything I had endured and achieved.”

She also reunited with close friends and visited many of the city’s iconic places.

“Although I was unable to walk across the graduation stage, the journey itself was so meaningful. I made memories and had experiences I will always treasure.”