Reporter: Jamilah

Jakarta, UIN Online-As of academic year 2009/2010, the Graduate School of UIN has accepted new registration for Doctoral Program (S3) students without selection. However, the policy only applies to UIN’s Master graduates (S2) class of 2005 upwards. As for Master graduates from other universities are still required to go through the selection process.

Deputy Director of Graduate School Academic Dr Fuad Jabali, Thuesday (19/1), said the Doctorate Vocational admission without selection is a form of respect, trust and guarantee to graduates of Master degree of UIN Jakarta. However, there is no guarantee that UIN Master’s graduates can complete their study in the S3 program with ease. This is due to the new curriculum and a heavier course load.

“The new curriculum is not easy now. Therefore, at the beginning of the semester, there will be mentors who will assist students.” Fuad explained.

Fuad further explained that students are required to take the proposal, write and develop their research. In addition, they also have to master foreign languages, especially Arabic and English, considering the theory and literature they create will be read and taken into account not only by fellow UIN colleagues in Indonesia but also read and taken into account by other civitas academicians around the world.

Fuad gave Prof Dr Azyumardi Azra (Director of UIN Jakarta’s Graduate School) as an example. He has successfully made his thoughts as reference in the world. “We expect to not only have one person, but new generations of UIN graduates like him (Azyumardi Azra),” he said.

When asked about students who have difficulty doing research and may not pass the proposal, Fuad said they would be given time to develop their research. However, if a student is unable to pass the proposal test twice, the student will be disqualified. In fact, the title that will be given to these students is Master of Philosophy or MPhil, which is higher than Master but below Doctorate degree. (elve/mila/lina)