Dr. Muhammad Raihan Firdaus Completed His Ph.D. at FTMD ITB in Three Years, Published 11 Papers
BANDUNG, ftmd.itb.ac.id – The misconception that pursuing a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in engineering—particularly at the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)—is overly daunting and lengthy has been dispelled by Dr. Muhammad Raihan Firdaus, a 2026 graduate of FTMD ITB’s Aerospace Engineering Doctoral Program. He completed his doctoral studies in just three years while publishing 11 scientific papers, including articles in reputable international Q1 and Q2 journals.
Raihan’s decision to pursue his Ph.D. at FTMD ITB was driven by the alignment of his research interests in computational mechanics for composite structures, the expertise of his advisors, and a supportive academic environment. Previously, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (International Class, 2016) and his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (2020) at ITB. During his doctoral program, he was guided by a promoter team consisting of Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., Ir. Satrio Wicaksono, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., and Dr. Annisa Jusuf, S.T., M.T., alongside external collaborator Dr. Vincent Tan from the National University of Singapore (NUS). This international collaboration paved new pathways for discovering scientific novelty in his dissertation.
Addressing concerns over the length of Ph.D. studies, Raihan recognized early on that doctoral research involves significant uncertainty—ranging from repeated experiments and refined approaches to lengthy publication processes. Nevertheless, he refused to let others’ experiences dictate his own trajectory.
From day one, he broke down his dissertation goal into concrete stages: reviewing literature, identifying research gaps, formulating research questions, developing methods, and collecting and analyzing data for publication. These steps were then translated into structured monthly and weekly targets.
“After going through the process, I realized that certain factors remain within our control: research scope, consistent effort, open communication with advisors, and how quickly we address obstacles,” Raihan shared.
One of Raihan’s promoters, Satrio Wicaksono, explained that research productivity stems from a clear direction set on day one, where manuscript drafting runs parallel with research execution. He emphasized that graduating early does not mean compromising research quality; rather, research depth is measured by the sharpness of the research question, methodological precision, strength of evidence, and clarity of scientific contribution—not merely the duration of study.
“Students do not need to wait for perfect results before reaching out to their advisors. When challenges arise, it is crucial to communicate them early, along with what has been attempted and where guidance is needed,” Satrio noted.
Raihan’s progress was reinforced by FTMD ITB’s laboratory infrastructure and integrated academic ecosystem, including a dedicated workspace at the Lightweight Structures Laboratory and Composite Data Room, active involvement in mentoring undergraduate and master’s students, and a supportive research group within the FTMD Composite Team alongside peers, seniors, and researchers like Dr. Ditho Pulungan. Furthermore, the institution actively mitigates study delays through responsive administrative services, bimonthly progress tracking, mid-semester check-ins, end-of-semester progress seminars, and dedicated writing camps.
Dr. Arie Wibowo, Head of the Doctoral Program at FTMD ITB, reiterated the department’s commitment to supporting timely graduation.
“Through a collaborative research ecosystem, state-of-the-art facilities, and structured mentorship, FTMD ITB’s Doctoral Program is ready to welcome aspiring researchers and professionals to deliver impactful work without being constrained by fears of extended study periods,” he stated.
“We don’t need to have all the answers before starting a Ph.D. What matters most is the willingness to learn and a commitment to working consistently. My experience at FTMD ITB demonstrates that a Ph.D. can be completed on time through focused research, consistent work, and supportive mentorship,” Raihan concluded.
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