IPB Graduate School Orientation Lecture for New Students: More Than Just a Degree, Students Are Challenged to Produce Impactful Research
Entering graduate school is more than just continuing one’s education or pursuing a degree. At this stage, students are challenged to discover new knowledge, address real world problems, and produce research that makes an impact.
This message was conveyed during the General Lecture for New Graduate Students at IPB University’s Graduate School, held at Grha Widya Wisuda, IPB Dramaga Campus, Bogor, on Wednesday (8/13).
More Than Just Chasing a Degree
Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek), Brian Yuliarto, identified novelty as the core of a researcher’s journey. According to him, graduate students must approach the scientific process as a journey of discovery, not merely as a means to earn a degree.
“In the world of science, it’s not enough to just have people who know things. We must discover something we don’t yet know. That’s what’s called novelty,” he said.
Therefore, students are encouraged to cultivate curiosity and not wait for professors to dictate the direction of their research. Reading journals, thinking critically and creatively, maintaining integrity, leveraging the academic ecosystem, and collaborating are essential skills for becoming a scientist.
“Don’t always wait for your professor or instructor. You must decide for yourself what you want. You must read,” he emphasized.
The Ocean: A Vast Research Arena
A message about the importance of research also came from Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Wahyu Sakti Trenggono. He encouraged students to view the ocean as a vast research arena, particularly for addressing food security needs and discovering new sources of materials for various purposes.
“The ocean serves as a new source of food and a source of materials that need to be studied, materials that can then be put to good use for many purposes, such as in pharmaceuticals, energy, and so on. This requires research,” he said.
According to him, various marine issues, ranging from conservation, microplastics, aquaculture, and ship technology to the management of coastal communities can serve as research areas for master’s and doctoral students.
Impactful Research
Meanwhile, IPB University Rector Dr Alim Setiawan Slamet emphasized that graduate students have entered a different phase in their academic journey. They are no longer merely recipients of knowledge but are beginning to take responsibility for generating new knowledge.
“At the undergraduate level, a student is still a consumer of knowledge. But at the graduate level, you begin to take on the responsibility of generating new knowledge, testing its limits, and translating it into solutions,” he said.
He cautioned students against getting caught up in producing work that is methodologically sound but lacks tangible benefits. “The greatest danger is producing work that is methodologically sound but devoid of relevance,” he said.
To that end, the Rector encouraged students to dare to cross disciplinary boundaries through the development of the Agromaritim 5.0 vision, which connects food, biological resources, marine affairs, and digital technology.
The Dean of the IPB University Graduate School, Prof Yusli Wardiatno, reinforced this message by emphasizing the importance of transforming theses and dissertations into tangible contributions.
“Graduate education should not merely be oriented toward the completion of studies, but should also be directed toward the advancement of knowledge, the development of innovation, the resolution of the nation’s real world problems, and the creation of impact,” he said. (AS) (IAAS/KQA)
