Kupastuntas.co, Bandar Lampung - CEO of Kupas Tuntas Group, Donald Harris Sihotang holds the 281st Doctorate in Islamic Education Management at Raden Intan State Islamic University Lampung (UIN RIL) Indonesia with a Grade Point Average of 3.76, a very satisfactory predicate.

Donald Harris Sihotang won his Doctoral degree after undergoing a promotion exam at the Ballroom of UIN Raden Intan Lampung, Sukarame, Bandar Lampung Indonesia, Thursday (9/2/23). The open session was chaired by Prof. Wan Jamaludin Z, Examiner I Prof Sulthan Syahrir, Examiner II Prof. Siti Patimah, Examiner III Prof. Agus Pahrudin, Examiner IV Dr. Achi Rinaldi, Examiner V Dr. Heni Noviarita, and Session Secretary Dr. Coderi.

After the open session, the Chancellor of UIN RIL Jamaludin immediately handed over the doctoral award certificate to Donald Harris Sihotang.

The Chairperson of the Session who is also the Chancellor of UIN Raden Intan Lampung, Prof. Wan Jamaludin Z said, Donald Harris Sihotang was declared to have graduated with very satisfactory honors.

"With the completion of today's open examination, Donald Harris Sihotang has been designated as the 281st Doctor. Once again we congratulate Donald Harris Sihotang," said Jamaludin.

Jamaludin revealed that the open session this time looked different because it was attended by extraordinary invited guests such as the Chairman of Commission IV of the People's Representative Council (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) who is also Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI) Lampung, Sudin.

"The doctoral promotion this time is unusual because the figures who were present at this trial were unusual. Apart from that, the material raised was also extraordinary, so the guests who attended were also extraordinary. This is an honor for UIN Raden Intan Lampung," he said.

Jamaludin said, with Donald Harris Sihotang earning a Doctorate degree in the Islamic Education Management study program, it shows that UIN Raden Intan is a tertiary institution that does not discriminate between beliefs.

"UIN Raden Intan is ready to become a tertiary institution for all schools of thought, all parties, and open to all education. We uphold religious moderation in Indonesia, including Lampung," he explained.

Examiner I, Prof. Sulthan Syahrir said Donald Harris Sihotang was the first non-Muslim student to hold a Doctorate degree at UIN RIL.

"This is surprising and extraordinary, and shows that UIN RIL highly upholds religious moderation and tolerance. This is proof that UIN RIL never discriminates between beliefs and respects differences," he said.

He explained that Donald Harris Sihotang's dissertation was a solution to teachers' anxiety. "This dissertation is very interesting, which is very useful especially among teachers. This dissertation is likened to a savior who provides a solution to the anxiety experienced by teachers," he said.

Examiner II, Prof. Siti Patimah revealed that Donald Harris Sihotang was one of the fastest students in the class of 2020 who finished in less than three years or around 2.5 years.

"Actually, when he was in college, he wanted to leave, maybe because the subjects were difficult to adjust to. But we from the department continued to support and support. Thank God, everything was passed and finished the fastest of his friends in the class," said Patimah.

Patimah explained, the research conducted by Donald Harris Sihotang gave birth to a training management model that was needed by teachers not only in Lampung, but also teachers in Indonesia.

"The problem in this research is a national problem. Where teachers who have problems in writing scientific papers are not only in Lampung, but nationally," he said.

Meanwhile, Donald Harris Sihotang said that the Doctoral degree he received coincided with a special day for Indonesian journalists, namely National Press Day.

"Today is very special, because my Doctoral promotion session coincides with National Press Day on February 9, 2023, whose celebration takes place in Medan, North Sumatra," he said.

Donald revealed that differences are not a barrier, because everyone has the same opportunity to study at a green campus. "Hopefully UIN Raden Intan Lampung can continue to advance to the international level," he said.

The Chairman of Commission IV DPR RI, Sudin who was present at the event expressed his pride for Donald Harris Sihotang by winning a Doctorate degree. "Very proud that the cadres from PDI Perjuangan Lampung have won a Doctorate degree, Dr. Donald Harris Sihotang," said Sudin.

The chairman of the PDI Perjuangan DPD admitted that he was quite surprised because the campus where Donald Harris Sihotang studied was an Islamic campus. "Because what I know is that UIN is a State Islamic University. Which is usually devoted to Islamic students," he said.

Sudin promised to convey to the PDI Perjuangan Central Representative Council (DPP) that UIN RIL is an open campus, regardless of ethnicity, religion and race. "This is something to be proud of," he added.

Sudin hopes that the Doctoral degree won by Donald Harris Sihotang will motivate him to do more, especially for the people of Lampung. "The DPP extends greetings to Donald Harris Sihotang from General Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri and Puan Maharani," he said. (*)

This news was published in the Kupas Tuntas Daily Newspaper, Friday 10 February 2023 edition with the title "Donald Harris Sihotang 281st Doctor of UIN RIL"