Indonesia
Malang – A group of Doctoral student in Multicultural Islamic Religious Education (PAI) from Pontianak followed the footsteps of their peers who had sat their open examinations in preceding weeks. This time, it was the turn of Fery Yanto, S.Pd.I., M.Pd.; H. Ruslan, S.Ag., M.Si.; and Mus Mulyadi. All three of whom successfully defended their dissertations on Thursday (23/7/2026).
All three candidates graduated with Cum Laude honours, following examination sessions chaired by UNISMA Rector Prof. Junaidi, M.Pd., Ph.D., with Prof. H. M. Mas’ud Said, MM., Ph.D. serving as examination secretary. The remaining panel members comprised Prof. Dr. Imam Suprayogo, Prof. Dr. Nur Syam, M.Si., Prof. Dr. H. Maskuri, M.Si., Dr. Moh. Afifulloh, M.Pd., and Dr. Syamsu Madyan, Lc., MA., with the addition of guest examiner Dr. Muhajirin Yanis, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for West Kalimantan.
Read also: Doctoral Candidates from Pontianak Study Group Pass Open Dissertation Defense at UNISMA
Fery Yanto’s research explored the Malay Tundang cultural tradition in relation to multicultural Islamic religious education. Tundang is an acronym of pantun berdendang. A performing art that weaves together pantun (traditional verse), poetry, and percussion (gendang).
Fery highlighted the significance of this research in rebuilding the collective memory of Pontianak community in the aftermath of inter-ethnic conflict. His findings recommend Tundang as a learning medium for cultivating a peaceful and harmonious society. A deeply moving message from the creator of Tundang served as a personal source of motivation for Fery: “My child, when I am no longer here, please preserve Tundang. Do not let it exist only as a research subject.”
Ruslan, doctoral candidate during the Q&A session with the examiners
Doctoral candidate, Fery Yanto received the Dissertation Evaluation Decision from Board of Examiners.
H. Ruslan centred his research on the portrait of education within the Jam’iyatul Islamiyah organisation in Kayong Utara, West Kalimantan. His primary focus was on how the organisational institution manages Islamic values from the perspective of Multicultural Islamic Education.
Mulyadi defended his dissertation on multi-ethnic counselling guidance at MAN 2 (State Islamic Senior High School 2) Pontianak. The research was deemed of critical importance in advancing social integration, given that the study’s subjects represent a rich diversity of ethnic backgrounds including Malay, Madurese, Javanese, Batak, and others. The study broadens the dimensions of counselling guidance by integrating multiculturally oriented Islamic religious education values.
Doctoral candidate Ruslan poses for a photo with his colleagues and examiners after his public defense
Doctoral candidate Mus Mulyadi poses for a photo after his public defense
These three students did not merely graduate with distinction their research has also been published in book form. “This is the first time three students examined in consecutive sessions have each contributed a book,” remarked Prof. Imam Suprayogo with evident admiration.
Postgraduate Program Director Prof. Mas’ud Said likewise noted: “Usually, at most one person in an examination session presents a book.”
May the knowledge gained at UNISMA continue to bring ever greater benefit to the people of Pontianak and all districts and cities across West Kalimantan. Once again, congratulations! (AL/PPS)
