EduAsiaNews, Bandung – Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) will launch its Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program in Physics beginning in the first semester of the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The establishment of this new program represents a strategic initiative to strengthen the advancement of physics while supporting sustainable technological innovation that addresses the evolving needs of society and industry.
“Physics is one of the fundamental sciences, or what is now more commonly referred to as STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Physics is a core component of STEM, as it studies all natural phenomena,” said Lusi Safriani, Ph.D., Head of Unpad’s Doctoral Program in Physics, during an interview with Unpad Media Channel on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
According to her, physics serves as one of the foundational scientific disciplines underpinning the development of a wide range of technologies. The establishment of the Doctoral Program in Physics is intended not only to meet the growing demand for advanced academic study but also to strengthen scientific development oriented toward technological innovation and the downstream application of research outcomes.
The program adopts the concept of sustainable physics, emphasizing a balanced integration of theoretical development and experimental research to generate solutions to societal and industrial challenges while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The majority of the curriculum is research-based. The research is expected to address existing technological challenges while responding to the needs of society,” she explained.
To support these objectives, the Doctoral Program offers several areas of specialization, including advanced materials, nanotechnology, instrumentation, environmental physics, and geophysics.
In terms of academic resources, the Department of Physics at Unpad’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) is supported by 17 faculty members, six of whom are full professors, with nearly all holding doctoral degrees from leading universities in Indonesia and abroad. The department also includes two researchers recognized among the world’s top 2 percent of scientists.
Research facilities available to students include the Energy Physics Laboratory, Materials Physics Laboratory, and Instrumentation Physics Laboratory. Students may also access additional research infrastructure through collaborations with the Department of Geophysics, the Department of Electrical Engineering, and the Finder Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (PUI Finder) at Unpad.
The program is further strengthened by collaborative partnerships with numerous national and international institutions, including Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) as well as universities in Japan, Malaysia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
“Graduates of this program are expected to identify scientific problems that can be addressed through physics. They will possess the competence to conduct independent research capable of responding to challenges faced by both industry and society,” Lusi stated.
The Doctoral Program in Physics also welcomes professionals from industry seeking to enhance their academic qualifications and research capabilities. Through its extensive collaborative network, students will have opportunities to engage in research partnerships with industry and research institutions both domestically and internationally.
