PROPOSAL DEFENSE AND RESERCH PROGRESS (PDRP) SEMINAR

All postgraduate students by research mode are invited to take part in the PDRP seminar that
organized by FKP. The objective of proposal defend and research progress (PDRP) seminar is
to demonstrate that the student has adequate knowledge of a research area, review progress,
discuss problems and potential issues, identify achievements and provides an opportunity to set
realistic milestones for the remainder of student to ensure completion within
the permitted timeframe.

At this time, faculty will proceed with two events:

(i) Proposal Defense: If we refer to ‘Postgraduate Academic Regulations’ Section 7 (pg

39), there is stated that:
 A student pursuing a programme that requires research work must prepare a
research proposal that would provide the plan of the research work including
problem definition, research objectives, literature review, research
methodology and major references.

(ii) Research progress:

 This seminar just to monitor a progress that has been done by students within
one semester (six months).

Eligible students

 A full-time Master student pursuing a programme by Research Mode is

required to submit the research proposal latest by the end of first (1st) regular
semester of his/her studies. A part-time Master student (by Research) must
submit the research proposal latest by the end of second (2nd) regular semester
of his/her studies.
 A full-time Doctoral student must submit the research proposal latest by the
end of second (2nd) regular semester of his/her studies. A part-time Doctoral
student must submit the research proposal latest by the end of fourth (4th)
regular semester of his/her studies.
 Active student- defined as a student who is continuing his/her studies in FKP.

PDRP commitee

The Proposal/research progress will generally be examined by PDRP Committee, which

consists of a Committee Chair and at least TWO (2) other members. If additional expertise is
needed beyond that embodied in the Committee, additional individuals may be invited on an ad
hoc basis

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The defense/progress

The student should prepare power point presentation for the oral examination (max 20 slides). In
addition, the student should submit a summary of their research work (max 5 pages) and 3
copies of the power point presentation (during presentation). The student should give a
presentation between 10-15 minutes in duration, followed by questions from the PDRP
committee. The time limit should be strictly enforced. Upon conclusion, the committee shall ask
more questions to determine the level of knowledge and readiness to start research on the part
of the student. This part should be regarded as the main and most important component of the
exercise. The questions should be substantive and inquisitive.

Outcome of a proposal defense

The possible outcomes from a proposal defense are

a. Proposal accepted without amendments. Student can proceed.

b. Proposal accepted with minimal amendments. Proposal with amendments as

recommended by the panel must be submitted to and verified by the Faculty within one
month of the date of presentation. Student can then proceed.

c. Major amendments. Student is required to resubmit the amended proposal and present
again at the Faculty.

d. Proposal rejected. Student is required to prepare a new proposal and present again at the
Faculty.

Outcome of a research progress

The possible outcomes from a research progress are

a. Satisfactory progress in research work.

b. unsatisfactory progress in research work.

Important Dates
22nd January 2016 – last date to submit the summary of research.
28 -29th January 2016 – presentation day

Please submit your summary of research to

1. NORAZAH BINTI MOHAMED YAZID, email : norazah@utem.edu.my

2. PM DR HAMBALI BIN AREP@ARIFF email : hambali@utem.edu.my

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 Summary of Research (example)

Name: Mohd Fairuz A. Samah Matrix: P00000001

Degree/Year of Study: PhD/3 Semester
Thesis Title: Optimizing Overall Operational Effectiveness to Satisfy Variable Demands at a
Vehicle Inspection Centre
Supervisors: Assoc Prof. Dr Hambali Ariff
Co- supervisor: Dr Kamarul Ariffin

A. Abstract (200-250 words)

This research is concerned with how greater efficiency and throughput in a vehicle inspection
center (VIC in Malaysia) can be achieved by using operational research techniques. The VIC
operated by PUSPAKOM carries out commercial vehicle inspections according to road
transport rules which are set by Malaysian government. Greater efficiency and throughput are
required at the VIC due to the increasing number of vehicles that undergo inspection, local
road transport rules (fixed inspection policies and fees, inspection frequency which is twice
yearly) and environmental factors in Malaysia (public, state and religious holidays). Basically,
there are three causes of variable workload at the VIC, namely the practice of the vehicle’s
owner, the Road Transport Department rules and the VIC operations. This research discusses
how various techniques of operational research (simulation, vehicle appointment scheduling
and maintenance of inspection equipment) can be applied to model and improve the overall
operational effectiveness in the VIC.

B. Chapter completed and progress to date

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C. Factors impeding the progress of research (if any)]

D. Papers published/presented, seminar attended, etc.

I declare that the statements above are true, complete and correct

………………….. ……………………………………………..
[Date] [Student’s Signature]

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