JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 26 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the School of Graduate Studies (SPS), successfully organised the DPP Supervision Course (AS105) 2026 in two sessions, bringing together 71 academic staff from UTM Johor Bahru and UTM Kuala Lumpur to strengthen supervisory competency and readiness for the Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP) programme.

The first session was held on 12 August 2026 at the Banquet Hall, Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building, UTM Johor Bahru, involving 46 participants, followed by the second session on 26 August 2026 at Menara Razak, UTM Kuala Lumpur, with 25 participants. The participation reflects UTM’s commitment to building a competent pool of supervisors to support the continued development of the DPP programme.

Both sessions were delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Roslina Mohammad and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohamed Sukri Mat Ali, who guided participants through the DPP structure, supervision requirements and assessment framework.

The sessions provided practical guidance on supervising candidates, particularly in managing the Capstone Project, Industrial Projects, Project Audits and preparation towards the final viva voce. Having the same facilitators also supported consistency in supervisory practices across both UTM campuses.

The AS105 course serves as an important platform to ensure that DPP supervisors have a consistent understanding of the programme’s philosophy, structure, academic requirements and practice-based approach. Participants were exposed to key aspects of DPP supervision, including Programme Learning Outcomes, assessment processes, the Capstone Project, Project Audit and viva voce requirements.

The DPP offers a distinctive doctoral pathway designed primarily for experienced working professionals who aspire to address complex challenges within their industries and organisations.

As a practice-based and industry-oriented doctoral framework, the programme enables professionals to integrate advanced knowledge, professional experience and research in developing innovative and practical solutions with meaningful impact.

One of the distinctive strengths of the DPP is its multidisciplinary ecosystem, involving eight engineering, science and technology faculties at UTM.

The programme targets working professionals with a minimum of three years of relevant working experience, with teaching and learning conducted through Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

At the heart of the DPP journey is the Capstone Project, a real industry problem-solving project spanning at least six semesters. Candidates progress through Industrial Project 1 to Industrial Project 6, transforming challenges from their professional environments into doctoral-level solutions.

Quality assurance is further strengthened through the Project Audit process, with two audits conducted before the final viva voce.

The successful participation of 71 academic staff demonstrates UTM’s proactive approach towards strengthening supervisory capacity alongside the growth of the DPP programme.

The training provides greater assurance that DPP candidates are supported by supervisors who understand professional doctorate supervision, practice-based research and industry oriented projects.

The course therefore demonstrates UTM’s commitment to developing a strong professional doctorate ecosystem connecting academic excellence, professional expertise and industry impact.

Co-author Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohamed Sukri Mat Ali and Norfarahana Mohd Kamal