Overview
Become a Visionary Leader: Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Sunway University!
Pursue your passion for education with a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Sunway University! Our doctoral programme is designed to foster your independent thinking and deep expertise in your research area. You will engage in advanced research, critical analysis, and scholarly enquiry guided by our expert faculty, renowned for their contributions to various educational fields. These educators will mentor you, offering valuable insights and supporting your research efforts to ensure you develop essential skills for making impactful contributions.
Join Sunway University's vibrant research community and become part of a collaborative network that includes diverse research centres and dedicated groups. Supported by top-tier expertise and facilities, our programme will nurture you into a leader capable of conducting transformative research. This synergy between innovative research domains and a supportive community will equip you to drive significant advancements in the field of education.
This Doctor of Philosophy in Education programme is ideal for:
- Experienced educators with a Master's degree in Education and a strong research foundation, seeking to make a significant contribution to the field.
- Educational professionals seeking a career shift into high-level research or educational policy development.
- Aspiring academic leaders with a passion for shaping the future of education through groundbreaking research.
Starting your journey towards a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Sunway University marks a thrilling step forward in your educational and professional development. We are committed to making the application process as seamless and straightforward as possible. For detailed information about the application steps and the necessary documents, contact us at [email protected]. We're here to help guide you every step of the way.
- Academician / Lecturer
- School principal
- Head Faculty
- School Director
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Teacher
- Corporate Trainer
- Year Level Coordinator
- Student Engagement Lead
- Student Experience Lead
- Education Manager
- Head of Department
- RM59,980
for Malaysian students
- USD12,842
for international students
Programme Structure
Research Methodology
In addition to the thesis component, students will be required to take Research Methodology to enhance their knowledge in research.
Thesis
Students pursuing the PhD (Education) programme shall undertake an in-depth study on a particular research topic, the findings of which shall be submitted in the form of a thesis. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination, called viva voce.
Professional Development Activities
To support our postgraduate students in their research journey, we provide a comprehensive and enriching learning experience through a strategic combination of workshop series and research colloquium. The workshop series aims to enhance practical research skills through hands-on sessions, fostering collaboration among students and addressing research challenges collectively. The tailored content delivery will cater specifically to the unique needs of educational research, covering areas such as skill acquisition, literature review techniques, methodologies, and ethical considerations. We also include a workshop on generative artificial intelligence (AI), equipping you with cutting-edge skills relevant to the demands of 21st-century teaching and learning.
There are nine (9) series of workshops that postgraduate students can attend before embarking on thesis writing. The first six (6) series of workshops are compulsory and the last three (3) series of workshops are optional.
Workshop 1: Introduction to Research
Workshop 2: Reviewing the Literature
Workshop 3: Research Purpose, Research Objectives, Research Questions and Hypotheses
Workshop 4: Quantitative Research Methodology
Workshop 5: Qualitative Research Methodology
Workshop 6: Research Proposal and Thesis Writing
Workshop 7: Generative AI for Research
Workshop 8: SPSS for Beginners
Workshop 9: NVivo for Beginners
Alongside a series of workshops, postgraduate students are encouraged to attend research colloquia, which offer opportunities for networking, presenting their work, and receiving constructive feedback from peers and faculty. This platform not only enhances presentation skills but also stimulates critical thinking by exposing students to a diverse range of research topics.
Areas of Research
We have a team of dedicated Supervisors with expertise in areas of research including (but not limited to):
Entry Requirements
- A Master's Degree (Level 7 Malaysian Qualifications Framework, MQF) as accepted by the HEP's Senate; OR
- Other qualifications equivalent to a Master's Degree (Level 7, MQF), as accepted by the HEP Senate.
Achieve a minimum score of 6.0 for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) OR its equivalent.
IELTS 6.0
- English Language Requirements
For postgraduate studies, international students are required to achieve a minimum score of 6.0 for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) OR its equivalent.
Academic Staff
At the School of Education, we take pride in our exceptional faculty, a team of dedicated educators and researchers at the forefront of their fields. Our lecturers have a wealth of practical experience in classrooms and a passion for educational innovation. They are not only dedicated to teaching future educators but also actively engaged in groundbreaking research that shapes educational practices and policies. This unique blend of experience and expertise ensures you will learn from the best and gain insights directly from those who are influencing the future of education.
The current academic staff consist of the following members:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Malissa Maria Mahmud
Assoc. Prof. Dr Malissa Maria Mahmud is passionate about fostering inclusive, equitable, and lifelong access to high-quality education opportunities for all. Her research explores a broad spectrum of topics in instructional technologies, with a particular focus on post-pandemic modalities. Over the course of her professional career, she has received acclaim for her valuable contributions, presenting and publishing in esteemed conferences and journals. Notably, she has received accolades for research excellence and has been acknowledged for her excellence in teaching.
Her research areas include sustainable educational technology, human computer interaction in education, open educational resources, and m-learning.
- Dr Shamsiah Banu Mohamad Hanefar
Dr Shamsiah Banu Mohamad Hanefar, a dedicated educator with 22 years of experience, specialises in educational psychology and champions spiritual intelligence. Experienced in diverse fields such as education, organizational psychology, and personal development, she serves as a senior lecturer at Sunway University. Certified by HRDF since 2009, Shamsiah excels as an external examiner, article reviewer, program coordinator, and module developer. In her prior role, she oversaw the Teacher Training Programme under the World Bank and Bangladesh College Education Programme, managing Master Trainer Associates. A global trainer, she focuses on holistic wellbeing, inclusive education for Orang Asli, holistic intelligences, and leadership in her research endeavors.
Her research areas include education psychology, holistic intelligence, spiritual leadership, and workplace spirituality.
- Dr Ahmad Faizuddin
Dr Ahmad Faizuddin (S.Pd.I, M.Ed, PhD) is a professional with extensive experience in education, management, and leadership. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Development and Innovation, School of Education, Sunway University, Malaysia. He is passionate about writing and actively produces articles for journals and newspapers. His areas of interest include educational management and leadership, continuous professional development, educational development and innovation, curriculum and instruction, foundations of education, early childhood education, Islamic studies, teaching and learning, and community development.
His research areas include educational management and leadership, continuous professional development, educational development and innovation, and curriculum and instruction.
- Dr Farah Naaz Abd Yunos
Dr Farah is an English ESL instructor, English lecturer, and trainer with over 17 years of experience. She has trained teachers from MARA as well as corporate clients. Training areas include General English and basic Communication Skills for local as well as corporate clients. She also has training experience in the aviation industry. She has designed various English and communication courses for both the education and aviation sectors. Her research interests are in continuous professional development and classroom practices in higher education. She is a member of MELTA (Malaysian English. Currently, Farah teaches English for Business.
Her research areas include continuous professional development and classroom practices in higher education.
Application Procedure
Applicants are requested to send the completed application with the following supporting documents to [email protected].
i. Sunway postgraduate application form
ii. ONE(1) certified true copy of Identity Card (NRIC) / Passport Information Page (for International Students)*.
iii. Statement of research interest.
iv. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
v. Certified true copy of English Language qualification (IELTS, TOEFL, MUET, Others).
vi. Certified true copies of completion certificates (if available).
vii. Certified true copies of relevant academic qualifications/results:
- Pre-University / Diploma
- Degree
- Master (If applicable)
- Other Evidence of prior Studies
viii. Documentary evidence (if financed by scholarship/sponsorship/study loan).
ix. ONE(1) passport-size photograph (size 3.5cm x 4.5cm).
Research Statement
The research statement should comprise between 1,000 and 1,500 words (excluding references), and covers the following structure:
1. An appropriate title for the research project (designated supervisor if known)
2. Introduction and justification of the study, which includes
i. Research background
ii. Problem statement
iii. Research objective(s)
iv. Research question(s)/hypothesis
3. Literature review
4. Research methodology
5. Proposed research schedule
6. List of references
Contact Info
For more information and to apply, please email [email protected]. If you have any inquiries, please email:
School Manager
Jennifer Choo Sue Chin
Email: [email protected]
Programme Leader
Ahmad Faizuddin
Email: [email protected]
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For more information about the scholarships and financial aid, please visit the SEG Scholarships website.
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