UMAM Organizes Another Pre-PhD Coaching Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto
PURWOKERTO, INDONESIA – Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) has once again conducted the Pre-PhD Coaching Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP). This program aims to provide intensive guidance for academics and lecturers who wish to pursue doctoral studies, particularly in Education, IT, Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, and Business Management.
The event featured two keynote speakers from UMAM: Prof. Rushaimi and Assoc. Prof. Dwi Santoso. Additionally, three PhD students from UMAM participated in the program, providing direct assistance and sharing their experiences regarding coursework and the academic environment at UMAM.
While UMP Rector, Prof. Jebul Suroso, and UMAM Rector, Dr. Saidul Amin, were unable to attend in person, they expressed their full support for the program.
"We highly appreciate UMAM's initiative in supporting Muhammadiyah academics in pursuing doctoral studies. This program provides valuable insights for lecturers in preparing for their further studies," said Prof. Jebul Suroso in his statement on Friday (February 28, 2025).
Meanwhile, Dr. Saidul Amin emphasized UMAM's commitment to providing a high-quality academic environment for PhD students.
"UMAM aspires to be a center of academic excellence, supporting future doctoral candidates in completing their studies successfully. We hope this program serves as a bridge for Muhammadiyah academics to join UMAM in pursuing their doctoral degrees," he explained.
Program Content and Activities
This comprehensive program was designed to help prospective PhD students prepare for the various challenges of doctoral studies.
Prof. Rushaimi discussed strategies for crafting competitive research proposals, selecting relevant research topics, and navigating the PhD selection process at international universities.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dwi Santoso, a forensic linguistics and scientific publication expert, provided insights into writing high-quality journal articles, selecting reputable journals, and avoiding predatory journals.
In addition to academic sessions, the program featured three PhD students from UMAM, who shared their experiences studying at UMAM. They emphasized that the learning environment at UMAM is highly supportive of research and provides broad access to high-quality academic resources.
"Studying at UMAM is very conducive. The lecturers are incredibly supportive, and the available facilities truly enhance our research. We feel like we are in a progressive global academic environment," said one of the PhD students who spoke at the event.
Participants were also given the opportunity to consult directly with speakers and PhD students, receiving valuable advice on their research proposals.
Impact and Future Prospects
"With the implementation of this Pre-PhD Coaching Program, UMAM and UMP hope to encourage more Muhammadiyah lecturers to pursue doctoral studies, increase the number of scientific publications in reputable international journals, and strengthen academic collaboration between UMAM and various Muhammadiyah universities," stated Dwi Santoso.
Moving forward, UMAM plans to organize similar programs at other Muhammadiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTM) to benefit more Muhammadiyah academics who aspire to pursue doctoral studies and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
"With direct testimonials from UMAM PhD students, we hope more academics will be inspired to join UMAM in their academic journey," said Dwi Santoso.