The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of the University of Indonesia (UI) graduated its first doctorate in the Physics postgraduate program, Ilham Prasetyo, at the open online promotion session for the Doctoral Program in Physics on Saturday (November 13th).
Ilham is the first student since the Physics Study Program officially opened in 2017, completing the doctoral program in just 2.5 years in 2019. He graduated Cum Laude with a perfect GPA of 4.
Ilham’s success is due to the guidance of his promoter, Prof. Dr. Anto Sulaksono, and Co-Promoter, Handhika Satrio Ramadhan, Ph.D.
Before the examiners, Muhammad Aziz Majidi, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Terry Mart, Dr. rer. nat. Agus Salam, Dr. Adam Badra Cahaya, Andy Octavian Latief, Ph.D., and the Chair of the Session, Prof. Dr. Techn. Ilham Djoko Triyono, Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, defended his dissertation entitled “Gravity Modification in Compact and Ultracompact Objects.”
In his dissertation, the man born on December 28, 1992, presented his research on the effects of combining gravity with quantum matter in neutron stars and other compact and ultracompact objects.
“This is done with the hope that any quantum theory of gravity discovered in the future will be compatible with quantum theory and general relativity in certain areas, just as general relativity is compatible with Newtonian gravity on Earth,” said Dr. Ilham.
He further explained that although many modified theories of gravity have been disproved by gravitational wave analyses, many other modified theories still persist.
However, one of the most popular mysteries in astrophysics is dark matter. Several modified theories of gravity attempt to explain the formation of the known universe without involving dark matter.
“If possible, I’m also interested in getting involved in this area. I’m doing this to find out which theory of gravity is appropriate at all scales, from neutron stars to galaxies to the size of the visible universe today,” he added.
Dr. Djoko Triyono commended the newest graduate of the postgraduate program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia. He stated that Dr. Ilham’s achievements are proof that, with experience managing the undergraduate Physics program since 1961 and the Master’s Physics program since 1990, FMIPA UI has successfully implemented learning programs that integrate education and research through a quality research-based curriculum. The Master’s Physics by Research program has been running since 2016, while the Doctoral Physics by Research program was established in 2017.
“The achievements of this first Ph.D. Physics graduate are truly extraordinary. In addition to achieving a perfect GPA and graduating early, they have also produced two articles published in reputable international journals with a high Impact Factor (Q1). This further demonstrates that postgraduate research programs are excellent at fostering a positive atmosphere and producing high-quality research results.”
