Indonesia
Commemorating Heroes’ Day can be done by emulating the values of past national heroes, many of whom were scholars and religious leaders (Ulama). As an educational institution, UNISMA continues this legacy by producing scholars and ulama who contribute to academic advancement and public service.
The Doctoral Program in Multicultural Islamic Religious Education (S3 PAI Multicultural) once again graduated two new doctoral degree holders on November 14, 2025, through an open dissertation examination. The graduates were Aprilita Hajar, M.Ag, and Siti Sumadiyah, M.Pd.
The first new doctorate, Aprilita Hajar, M.Ag, presented a dissertation titled Adaptive Behavior of Correctional Inmates in a Multicultural Environment (A Phenomenological Study from the Perspective of Multicultural Islamic Education at Class I Surabaya Correctional Facility). The study highlights the adaptation process experienced by inmates during their initial orientation period in prison.
The open dissertation examination was chaired by Prof. Junaidi, M.Pd., with Prof. M. Mas’ud Said, M.M., Ph.D., serving as secretary. Other members of the examination panel included Prof. Imam Suprayogo, M.Pd., Prof. Djunaidi Ghony, M.A., Prof. Agus Maimun, M.Pd., as an external examiner, Prof. Dr. Maskuri, M.Si., as promoter, and Dr. Abdul Jalil, M.Pd., as co-promoter.
Aprilita Hajar, M.Ag., a young doctorate at just 27 years old, demonstrated strong mastery of her dissertation, earning praise from several senior professors on the examining panel.
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The second new doctorate, Siti Sumadiyah, M.Pd, defended her dissertation titled The Formation of Conscious Character Through the Values of Multicultural Islamic Education in Building Peaceful Living (A Study on the Role of Griya Kesadaran Yogi Pare, Kediri). The research integrates neuroscience with the values of multicultural Islamic education to foster the development of conscious and reflective character.
There was a change in the examination panel for Siti Sumadiyah’s open defense, with Dr. Abdul Jalil, M.Pd., replaced by Dr. Afifulloh, M.Pd. The candidate was supervised by Prof. Dr. Maskuri, M.Si., and Prof. Junaidi Mistar, M.Pd., Ph.D.
Siti Sumadiyah during her dissertation defense before the examination panel.
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Both Aprilita Hajar and Siti Sumadiyah have submitted articles to Q1-indexed academic journals. Aprilita submitted her manuscript to a domestic publisher, while Siti Sumadiyah submitted hers to an international publisher. It is hoped that both manuscripts will pass the review process smoothly and be published soon.
Aprilita Hajar and Siti Sumadiyah were officially declared to have passed with distinction and are entitled to hold the doctoral degree upon the issuance of the official yudisium decree.
In his closing remarks, the chair of the examination reminded the candidates and all doctoral students in attendance to pay close attention to publication requirements, as journal selection directly affects the process of obtaining the doctoral diploma. The Rector emphasized the importance of making prudent and strategic choices when selecting academic journals. (AL/PPS)
