Berita

Yogyakarta—Pursuing doctoral degree has been more and more difficult without continued effort and determination. Yet, Romi Bhakti Hartarto, M.Ec., one of IPIEF lectures has left this country for undertaking doctoral programme this month in School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh United Kingdom as he was awarded Heriot-Watt University scholarship. This scholarship has been a prestigious one due to its rigorous standard and grueling process that has to be met and completed by all applicants.
To gain the scholarship for doctoral degree in this university was not easy. It demands an extra effort including strong research proposal and extensive preparation for interview that have to be made as the selection process consisted of administrative test in particular research proposal, and live interview conducted through Skype with two Professors from Heriot-Watt University. “The research proposal as part of documents required to obtain this scholarship is paramount important as the Supervisors will carefully examine the novelty of the study. Also, in the interview session, it is crucial trying to convince the Professors the dissertation that will be carried out can contribute substantially to the academic culture,” Hartarto explained when interviewed on (24/11).
Asked about his felling when awarded this scholarship, he answered, “It is such an honor for me to pursue my doctoral degree of Economics in Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, because I was one who has been selected for this scholarship from 74 candidates from all over the world,” Hartarto said. He also added, “Initially, there were 20 persons being considered for interview session, and yet only three of them can eventually be chosen to gain a very competitive scholarship I have ever applied.”
For those who plan to continue either master or doctoral programme, research proposal is a crucial document by which the candidate will be determined whether he or she being accepted. As such, it is unavoidable to conduct thorough analysis and in depth thinking while preparing the proposal. Finally, he gave a valuable advice for economics students of UMY, emphasizing:” Never be a quitter. It’s okay to pause but never okay to stop”. [Aw]