Indonesia
Malang – Bambang Utomo has officially earned a Doctorate in Multicultural Islamic Religious Education (PAI) from UNISMA, marking his achievement as the 136th graduate of PAI doctoral program at the university. His graduation was confirmed after successfully defending his dissertation during the Open Doctoral Promotion Examination on Tuesday, 30th September 2025.
The dissertation defended by the promovendus was entitled “The Construction of Tolerant Attitudes amid Socio-Religious Heterogeneity: A Multicultural Islamic Education Perspective from the Kolong Ngasem Community, Bojonegoro.” The study explores in depth how tolerant attitudes are formed and internalized within a diverse community in Kolong Village, examined through the lens of Multicultural Islamic Education. He was supervised by an experienced supervisory team, led by Prof. H. M. Mas’ud Said, MM., as Promotor, and Prof. Djunaidi Ghony, M.A., as Co-Promotor.
The Open Examination of Promovendus Bambang Utomo was chaired directly by UNISMA Rector Prof. Junaidi Mistar, M.Pd., Ph.D., and assisted by the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. M. Mas’ud Said, MM., Ph.D., who served as secretary. The panel of examiners assessing the depth and breadth of the dissertation comprised leading experts in their respective fields, including Prof. Dr. Imam Suprayogo, Prof. Dr. Nur Syam, M.Si., Prof. Dr. Maskuri, M.Si., and Dr. Moh. Afifulloh, M.Pd.
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During the examination session, several examiners delivered critical notes and probing questions to test the promovendus’ understanding. Prof. Nur Syam focused on the application of the Multicultural Islamic Education perspective, suggesting the need for clearer emphasis on the specific approach employed, such as conformity-oriented or accommodative multiculturalism.
Prof. Imam Suprayogo questioned the choice and intended meaning of the term “cendekia” frequently used during the examination. Meanwhile, Dr. Moh. Afifulloh scrutinized and verified the validity of the data collected throughout the research process.
Prof. Djunaidi Ghony examined the methodological framework applied in the study. Prof. Junaidi Mistar further reinforced the promovendus’ understanding of Peter Berger’s concept of social construction, particularly the processes of internalization, externalization, and objectification.
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After undergoing an intensive examination and comprehensive academic review, Promovendus Bambang Utomo was declared to have passed with the distinction of Very Satisfactory. With this result, he is officially entitled to use the doctoral title following the formal yudisium process.
The examinations were conducted in parallel, followed by Drs. Ahsanul Haq, M.Pd., who undertook his open examination as the 137th doctoral graduate.
