As part of its commitment to academic excellence, the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is taking steps to ensure the progress and success of its faculty members pursuing doctoral degrees. On Thursday, January 30, the Dean convened a meeting with faculty members currently enrolled in Ph.D. programs, aiming to track their academic progress, identify challenges, and align their research fields with institutional needs.

Out of 87 faculty members, 24 are currently undertaking doctoral studies, both domestically and abroad. Remarkably, many continue to teach while pursuing their degrees, creating a challenging balance between professional and academic commitments.

The Challenge of Balancing Teaching and Research

The DeanProf. Dr. Arif Maftuhin, MA highlighted the difficulties of simultaneously managing doctoral studies and teaching responsibilities.

"A Ph.D. is already a demanding process, and juggling it with a full-time teaching workload makes it even more challenging. Doctoral research requires deep focus, extensive publications, and theoretical development—none of which can be done halfway," Dean Arif Maftuhin said.

Beyond the academic workload, financial constraints pose another significant hurdle. The majority of these faculty members are funding their studies independently, without scholarships or institutional support.

"We need to develop a structured financial support system for our colleagues pursuing higher education. With the right support, they can focus on completing their studies efficiently, benefiting both themselves and the institution," the Dean added.

Aligning Research Fields with Institutional Needs

Another key issue raised in the meeting was the alignment between faculty members' chosen fields of study and the needs of their respective academic programs. Some faculty members have pursued doctoral research in areas that diverge from their previous expertise or their department’s primary discipline.

"We have faculty members earning Ph.D.s in fields that do not directly align with their existing academic roles. This could create challenges for both the department, which relies on faculty specialization, and for the individual, whose career trajectory might be affected," the Dean explained.

By closely monitoring the progress of doctoral candidates, the faculty hopes to ensure that these advanced studies contribute meaningfully to the institution’s academic development. Additionally, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the faculty’s competitiveness on both national and international levels.

Investing in Human Capital for Higher Education Excellence
Doctoral education for faculty members is a long-term investment in strengthening academic and research capabilities. In an increasingly competitive global education landscape, universities are expected to foster faculty who not only excel in teaching but also contribute to scholarly research and high-impact publications.

Several universities in Indonesia have introduced policies to support faculty pursuing doctoral degrees, including scholarship programs, reduced teaching loads, and research funding assistance. UIN Sunan Kalijaga aims to explore similar strategies to facilitate timely and successful Ph.D. completion among its faculty members.

The Dean emphasized that the institution will continue to seek effective solutions to ensure that faculty members’ academic journeys proceed smoothly while yielding lasting benefits for both the university and its students. (arf-kh)