PENANG, September 2015 – 17 lecturers from Telkom University (TU) in Bandung Indonesia will be pursuing their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) studies at the Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia (GSB USM) resulting from the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in June this year.

The Deputy Dean (Research) of GSB USM, Associate Professor Dr. Siti Nabiha Abdul Khalid, who welcomed them at the signing of the MoA and for the official registration ceremony said that, the TU lecturers are expected to graduate in three and a half years. They will need to come to USM each semester to complete and update their research work.

"At this initial stage, they need to present a research proposal to their supervisors, comprising of the lecturers from GSB USM before continuing their research in Bandung, while pursuing their teaching duties there," said Siti Nabiha.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Rector (Academic Affairs and Information System) of TU, Dr. Heroe Wijanto conveyed his appreciation on the efforts by USM in giving the teaching staff from TU the opportunity to pursue their doctorates at USM.

"I hope that with a joint programme such as this, it will be of great benefit to the development of knowledge for them, as well as to improve the quality of education for the lecturers from TU," said Heroe Wijanto.

Furthermore he added, TU is determined to foster closer and more meaningful ties with USM from the various high-impact research outcomes, which is expected to be the catalyst in efforts to develop the talents and capabilities of the lecturers in a more comprehensive and balanced manner to benefit the academicians of the two institutions.

Heroe Wijanto also advised the lecturers who are pursuing their studies at USM to have a strong determination to complete their studies, even though with the teaching duties that they still need to fulfill there.

"I would want them to keep to the schedule set by their supervisors, in order to complete their thesis as scheduled and not to create problems for the university and the supervisors," he added.

Others who attended the signing ceremony and welcoming the doctoral candidates were the GSB deputy deans, lecturers and members of the TU delegation.

Translation: Sharifah Zafirah Syed Nassir/Text: Syuhada Abd Aziz