The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (GS UNY) marked a remarkable academic milestone with the Doctoral promotion session of two doctoral (Ph. D.) candidates in Educational Research and Evaluation, Dr. Eko Wahyunanto Prihono, M.Pd.., and Dr. Fitria Lapele, M.Pd. The two, who are not only husband and wife but also lecturers at A.M. Sangadji State Islamic University (UIN) Ambon, successfully defended their dissertations on the same day at the 3rd Floor of the Auditorium in the Sugeng Mardiyono Building.

Dr. Fitria Lapele was the first to present her dissertation defense, held from 07:30 to 09:00 a.m. WIB, with her research entitled “Development of an Evaluation Model for English for Specific Purposes Programs in Higher Education.” Her defense was supervised by her promoter, Prof. Dr. Aman, M.Pd., and co-promoter, Prof. Nur Hidayanto Pancoro Setyo Putro, Ph.D., and examined by a panel consisting of Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M. Kes., AIFO. (chair), Dr. Sukarno, M. Hum. (secretary), Dr. Hj. Siti Jumaeda, M.Pd.I. from UIN A.M. Sangadji Ambon, and Prof. Dr. Margana, M. Hum., M.A.

In the afternoon session, from 01:00 to 03:00 p.m., Dr. Eko Wahyunanto Prihono presented his dissertation entitled “Evaluation of Education Quality: An Analytical Model for Determining Measurement Constructs, Principal Components, and Clustering Based on Madrasah Accreditation Results in Maluku Province.” His defense was chaired by Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M. Kes., AIFO. (chair), and Prof. Dr. Edi Istiyono, M.Si. (secretary), with his promoter, Prof. Dr. Sudji Munadi, M.Pd., co-promoter Dr. Haryanto, M.Pd.., M.T., and external examiners Dr. Abidin Wakano, M.Ag. from UIN A.M. Sangadji Ambon, and Prof. Dr. Emy Budiastuti, M.Pd.

Both dissertations made significant scholarly contributions to the field of educational research and evaluation, as well as to the development of learning programs in schools and higher education institutions.

The Doctoral promotion session of these two academics, who are simultaneously lecturers and doctoral students at the GS UNY, serves as a symbol of their commitment to advancing knowledge and higher education. The GS UNY extends its highest appreciation for their achievements and hopes that their scientific contributions will bring positive impacts to the world of education, particularly in evaluation and program development. Congratulations to Dr. Eko Wahyunanto Prihono, M. Pd., and Dr. Fitria Lapele, M. Pd., on achieving the doctoral degrees. May their knowledge continue to grow and provide wide-ranging benefits to society and educational institutions in Indonesia.