Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) recently graduated 1,816 graduates on Thursday (Oct. 24) at Grha Sabha Pramana. Among the graduates were 134 doctoral students, with an average study period of 5 years.
One exceptional graduate, Dr. Arbania Fitriani, known as Dr. Arfi, from the Leadership and Policy Innovation program at the UGM Graduate School, achieved recognition as the fastest doctoral graduate. She completed her studies in just 2 years, 6 months, and 23 days. Not only did she complete her studies quickly, but Dr. Arfi also earned a perfect GPA of 4.00.
Dr. Arfi’s academic achievements are incredibly inspiring, given her roles as the Director of Stellar HR Consulting, a lecturer at Esa Unggul University, and a certified hypnotherapist with a background in psychology—all before the age of 40.
Grateful for completing her doctorate faster and with the highest GPA, Dr. Arfi balanced her studies and work commitments.
“Throughout my studies, I juggled three roles: director, lecturer, and psychology therapist. I never took a leave of absence,” she shared.
Despite her busy work schedule, Dr. Arfi maintained that it didn’t interfere with her class time.
“Work commitments shouldn’t be an obstacle to graduating sooner,” she remarked enthusiastically.
Though she succeeded in graduating quickly, Dr. Arfi recalled that one of her examiners doubted her ability to finish due to the complexity of her dissertation research, deeming it unsuitable for a doctoral level. However, she proved her capability, completing her studies ahead of schedule.
Her dissertation focused on developing a “Predictive Model for Work Engagement.” This topic was inspired by a regulation from the then-Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Dahlan Iskan, mandating that all BUMN companies measure employee engagement.
Her dissertation examined 14 pathway coefficients and 15 variables, resulting in 9 hypotheses. It explored predictor factors for work engagement, particularly in the post-pandemic context, and provided policy recommendations for BUMN companies.
Her efforts and dedication paid off when her examiners praised her dissertation as highly valuable for BUMN human resources development.
“In just 2 years and 5 months, I completed my final defense and attended graduation,” she explained.
For those aiming to graduate early, Dr. Arfi advises planning research proposals well in advance by consulting with professors.
“By the time I began my classes, my proposal was ready,” she recalled.
Preparing early allowed her to present her proposal in her second semester. She also maintained regular communication with her academic supervisors.
“Your advisors are crucial for graduating on time,” she said.
Her academic success, achieved through disciplined self-management and her perspective that her doctoral studies were a form of spiritual devotion, motivated her to persevere.
“When you view your studies as part of worship, everything becomes easier,” she reflected.
Dr. Arfi plans to focus on industrial psychology and psychometrics after graduation. Her dissertation findings revealed shifts in work systems before and after the pandemic, highlighting the need for updated work engagement predictors.
Additionally, she discovered that technology plays a crucial role in enhancing employee performance, especially with the increase in remote work, and that there’s a growing need for leadership or self-leadership to drive discipline and maintain productivity within companies and organizations.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson