Lombok, Indonesia: There is a virtuous potential with the existing research-based structure at Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) for the lecturers in Indonesia to develop their digitalization skills. It was mentioned at Rapat Koordinasi Nasional (Rakornas) Asosiasi Program Studi Informatika (APSI) early this week in Lombok, as high quality research with Scopus indexed will be produced by those who will further their study at UMAM Malaysia.
The first Perguruan Tinggi Muhammadiyah dan ‘Aisyiyah (PTMAs) applied research-based programme, UMAM introduced a new core Information Technology by research for PhD program. Other than that also includes four research programs available;
- PhD in Islamic Studies,
- PhD in Social Sciences,
- PhD in Business and Management, and
- PhD in Education.
By following a research-based programme, students will conduct intensive research, while at the same time they also continue their PhD studies, guided by experts from the particular field of study.
Most of the prospective students who will continue PhD through the research programme at UMAM most likely work as a lecturer, and it is the target of Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah to improve their skills and quality within the PTMAs. “UMAM potentially becomes an umbrella of PTMAs’ alumni,” mentioned by Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram, Dr. H. Arsyad Abd Gani., M.Pd.
Therefore, the Governor of Nusa Tenggara Barat, Dr. H. Zulkieflimansyah, S.E., M.Sc, in his welcoming speech, praised with honor the value of knowing and helping each other, in terms of enhancing skills, knowledge and quality.
“Our Information Technology skills will be left behind if we cannot adjust with the current trend in the world of technology,” Governor of NTB, while PhD by research in Information Technology at UMAM bringing a new prospect for APSI, says Dr. Ika Safitri Windiarti as Head of Program PhD in Information Technology during her virtual presentation.
A representative of Executive Management Committee who attended the meeting physically at Lombok, Mohd Fairuz Al-Fatah Badarudin, B.Comp.Sc., MBA., as Registrar and Chief Financial Officer said that the university guarantees their skill development when they study at UMAM, because producing research is one of the requirements to graduate PhD in Information Technology.
He also added that having a co-promotor at a neighboring country (Indonesia) will ensure the students are monitored and guided within close proximity. The co-promotor will also be benefited through the provided scheme as the co-supervisor will be indirectly involved in the students’ research.
