Doctoral students often face challenges when it comes to writing their dissertations, including difficulties in getting started, managing time effectively, and completing on schedule. In order to enhance students’ dissertation writing skills, the Doctoral Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at the Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a Dissertation Boot Camp from May 31st to June 2nd, 2024, at the Oxalis Hotel in Magelang, Central Java.
A total of 22 doctoral students from the PSPSR program, currently in the dissertation writing stage, participated in the event. Dr. Budi Irawanto, S.I.P., M.A., Chief of the PSPSR Doctoral Program, opened the event with a speech, encouraging students to actively engage and focus on the boot camp to write their dissertations systematically, coherently, and on time. The activities included monitoring and evaluating students’ progress, providing them with the opportunity to discuss their current dissertation processes and any challenges they may be facing.
Throughout the camp, students received intensive guidance from experienced mentors and were divided into three groups according to their dissertation topics. Mentors for the event included Dr. Budi Irawanto, S.I.P., M.A., Dr. G.R. Lono L. Simatupang, Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum., and Dr. Oki Rahadianto S., who participated remotely. In addition to receiving feedback on their dissertation writing, students also received training in writing for international journals. The PSPSR Doctoral Program continues to develop global partnerships with various entities allowing students to leverage collaboration in scientific article writing.
“The dissertation boot camp is very beneficial and effective. The activities are highly concrete, involving guidance, discussions, direct writing, and dissertation progress presentations. Hopefully, such activities can be conducted regularly to facilitate the dissertation writing process and, of course, have a positive impact on the mutual energy among students from various cohorts in dissertation preparation,” said Heni Siswantari, a PSPSR doctoral student.
The camp concluded with independent work. It is hoped that following this event, students will improve their basic literacy skills in academic writing. With intensive and focused programs like these, students can make significant progress in dissertation writing and overcome any challenges they encounter.
Keywords: dissertation, basic literacy, global partnerships, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, SDGs
Author: Asti Rahmaningrum