Three doctoral students from the SBM ITB shared their experiences participating in the “Global Research Collaboration: Leveraging the Sandwich Program for Academic Excellence” initiative. This program is a vital platform for students to advance their research and expand their international academic networks. Through the program, they adapt to diverse research environments, overcome challenges, and maximize the benefits of global academic exposure.
Uruqul Nadhif Dzakiy, a 2021 Doctoral Student in Management Science, is undertaking a sandwich program at Yamaguchi University, Japan. He joined the program following guidance from his supervisor at SBM ITB and successfully connected with Professor Yoshiyuki Matsuura at Yamaguchi University.
“The research atmosphere in Japan is very calm and conducive,” Uruqul shared during a webinar hosted by SBM ITB (13/2). “My sensei’s guidance provided fresh perspectives that significantly improved my draft paper.”
As a result, Uruqul successfully published his research in a Q1 Scopus journal, Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, in September 2024. This publication is an outstanding achievement that underscores the research quality fostered by the sandwich program.
Reflecting on his experience, Uruqul described the challenges and rewards of his time in Japan. As a new lecturer at Telkom University, he had to balance work and academic commitments. Financial constraints also posed a challenge, particularly since he traveled with his family. However, with strong mentor support, he successfully navigated these difficulties.
Meanwhile, Ilma Nurul Rachmania, a 2022 Doctoral Student in Management Science (DSM) specializing in digital health research, completed a 10-week program at Cardiff University, Wales, UK. Unlike Uruqul, Ilma first identified a supervisor at SBM ITB with connections to her target university before applying.
“Preparation and time management are key,” Ilma emphasized. “This includes coordinating with the study program, finding a supervisor and university, and creating a detailed timeline with a structured task breakdown.”
At Cardiff University, Ilma actively engaged in weekly supervision meetings, public lectures, poster exhibitions, and research presentations at the international conference of The Operational Research Society. She expressed gratitude for the valuable insights gained and the warm academic environment she experienced.
Similarly, Sarah Ismullah chose Kansai University, Japan, for her sandwich program, focusing on maritime entrepreneurship and disaster research. She selected Japan due to its expertise in disaster management.
“This program broadened my horizons,” said Sarah. “I visited new places, built networks with experts, and gained invaluable experience.”
During her time in Japan, Sarah conducted research at the Okumura Lab, attended international seminars, participated in business exhibitions, and took part in disaster evacuation exercises. She also visited an earthquake museum and several universities to expand her research network.
These three SBM ITB doctoral students have demonstrated that the sandwich program is a transformative opportunity to enhance research quality, foster international collaboration, and enable personal growth. Despite the challenges, their success was made possible through thorough preparation, mentor support, and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
