AI Insight
PhD students in Indonesia are reporting significant issues with doctoral supervision quality as the country pursues plans to expand its doctoral education programs. Early-career researchers have raised concerns about systemic challenges in the supervision system that could undermine the quality of doctoral training. The warnings come at a time when Indonesia aims to increase the number of doctoral candidates in its higher education system.
Why it matters
The quality of PhD supervision directly affects research output, academic standards, and the development of Indonesia's scientific workforce. Addressing these systemic challenges is critical for ensuring that expanded doctoral programs produce well-trained researchers who can contribute to national scientific and economic development.
Nature, Published online: 02 November 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02465-w
The nation plans to boost the number of doctoral candidates, but some early-career researchers warn of systemic challenges, including poor-quality supervision.
Source: In Indonesia, PhD students blow the whistle on bad supervision