Tondano, 18 June 2026 — The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Earth Sciences (FMIPAK), Universitas Negeri Manado, marked a significant milestone with the implementation of the first-ever Qualification Examination of the Doctoral (PhD) Program in Chemistry. Doctoral student Maxi Awondatu became the inaugural participant to undertake this examination since the program was officially established.
The examination, held in the Department of Chemistry’s conference room, was attended by the Examination Committee of the Chemistry Doctoral Program, consisting of senior faculty members and experts in materials chemistry, computational chemistry, and advanced research methodologies. As a member of the program’s first cohort, Maxi Awondatu presented his mastery of advanced theoretical concepts, research methodologies, and the proposed direction of his dissertation research.
During the discussion session, the examiners posed in-depth questions and provided strategic feedback aimed at strengthening the scientific framework of the research to be developed. Maxi Awondatu was assessed as demonstrating strong academic readiness, analytical sharpness, and sufficient research capacity to progress to the dissertation research stage.
The Head of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Anderson Aloanis, M.Si, emphasized the historical significance of this examination. “This is an important milestone for the Chemistry Doctoral Program. As the first student to undergo the qualification examination, Maxi Awondatu sets the path for future cohorts and reflects the academic standards we aim to uphold,” he stated.
With the successful implementation of this inaugural qualification examination, the Chemistry Doctoral Program at FMIPAK Unima reaffirms its commitment to producing doctoral graduates who are excellent, competitive, and capable of contributing meaningfully to the advancement of chemical sciences and societal needs.
