Ph.D - Information Technology Research

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) – Information Technology Research

The Ph.D – Information Technology Research at the Malaysia campus, offered in partnership with Asia Metropolitan University (AMU)—ranked 72nd in Asia—provides a flexible and innovative path for professionals and researchers through the Doctorate by Publication option.

SIMI Swiss Doctor of Information Technology

The Ph.D. – Information Technology Research program focuses on addressing real-world challenges in the field of information technology, generating new knowledge, and providing effective solutions to drive innovation and enhance technological performance.

Distinction

Student visa for full-time students and the possibility to bring dependents while studying in Malaysia.

Fully Accredited

Swiss Student Card

Dual Qualifications

Academic Support

Support for 5 international publications

Courses & Research Activities

The program is widely recognized by the business community and partners, helping to optimize the use of the diploma after graduation.

Course: Advanced Research Methodology

This course is designed to enhance existing knowledge of research methods by introducing complex research design and advanced techniques for analyzing and interpreting literature, as well as higher-level methods for analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data.

Upon completing the course, doctoral students will be confident in developing a Research Proposal and initiating the implementation of their doctoral thesis.

Task: Complete the Research Proposal

The research direction, or Research Proposal, serves as a blueprint for the research conducted by doctoral students. Therefore, the more aligned the research direction is with the student’s interests and goals, the more it ensures the successful and efficient completion of the doctoral thesis.

At this stage, students will begin writing their Research Proposal (which is also the goal of the first course). Doctoral students will receive the following support:

Comprehensive foundational learning materials suitable for the research major ensure that students have sufficient knowledge to pursue any research direction.
Templates and forms.
A consultation channel with professors specializing in research.
English language and format checks.
Guidance on essay writing and citation using APA/Harvard methods.

Task: Participate in Colloquium 1

Doctoral students will participate in Colloquium 1, organized by AMU and SIMI Swiss. Participation in the Colloquium is mandatory, and students can attend in various formats: on-campus or online.

The Colloquium serves as a platform for doctoral students to expand their specialized knowledge, engage with faculty members, supervisors, and fellow students to discuss and present their research directions and findings.

At the conclusion of the Colloquium 1, doctoral students will have the opportunity to meet individually with their supervisor to finalize their Research Proposal before proceeding to the defense stage.

Task: Defend the Research Proposal

Once the Research Proposal is completed, doctoral students will defend their proposal before the academic committee of AMU and SIMI Swiss. This defense allows doctoral students to receive valuable feedback and ensures their research aligns with the highest academic standards.

Successfully defending the proposal is a key milestone in the doctoral journey, setting the foundation for the subsequent phases of research and thesis development.

Task: Continue Research and Complete the Doctoral Thesis

Doctoral students will continue developing their Research Proposal into a complete doctoral thesis under the guidance and support of the following:

Supervisor: Responsible for overseeing the entire research process of the doctoral student.
Module Supervisors: Provide workshops or activities tailored to specific groups of students, ensuring they acquire the necessary knowledge to complete their research.
Academic Support System: Offers assistance such as English language support, plagiarism checks, and formatting in APA or other required styles.

Task: Participate in Colloquium 2

Doctoral students will participate in Colloquium 2, organized by AMU and SIMI Swiss. Participation in the Colloquium is mandatory, and students can attend in various formats: on-campus or online.

At the conclusion of Colloquium 2, doctoral students will have the opportunity to meet individually with their supervisors to finalize their Thesis before proceeding to the final defense before the academic committee of AMU and SIMI Swiss.

Task: Defend the Doctoral Thesis to the AMU & SIMI Swiss Academic Committee in Malaysia

After completing their research, doctoral students will bind their thesis and submit it to the academic committee of AMU and SIMI Swiss.

The students will then proceed to defend their doctoral thesis before the academic committee of AMU and SIMI Swiss.

Following the defense, students will receive feedback for potential improvements (if any) from the academic committee. Based on this feedback, they will refine their research until it is fully complete.

During this finalization process, students will continue to receive guidance from their supervisors and support from the academic support system.

Course: How to Publish Your Research Paper

Once doctoral students have successfully completed their research, SIMI Swiss offers a specialized course, “How to Publish Your Research Paper,” to guide them through the process of transforming their Thesis into a publishable academic paper. This course not only supports the completion of their program but also enhances their academic and professional standing through publication.

Task: Publish an International Academic Paper

After successfully completing their doctoral research and participating in the “How to Publish Your Research Paper” course, doctoral students are equipped to transform their completed thesis into an international publication.

Note: Outstanding students may have the opportunity to publish an international paper as early as the completion stage of their Research Proposal.

Research Publication Stage

Modular Supervision Model

Structure: The Modular Supervision Model organizes the research supervision process by dividing it into distinct modules, with each module (such as a chapter or specific section) assigned to a specialist in that particular area. For example, one supervisor may oversee the introduction and literature review, while another focuses on methodology, and a third guides the data analysis and results sections. This structured approach ensures that each part of the research receives expert attention tailored to its specific requirements.

Benefits:

Expertise and Specialized Guidance:
- Targeted Expertise: Each module is supervised by an expert in that specific field, ensuring that students receive high-quality, specialized advice tailored to the unique demands of each section of their research.
- Enhanced Quality: Specialized supervisors can provide deeper insights and more nuanced feedback, elevating the overall quality of the research.
Focused and Efficient Support:
- Clear Responsibilities: By assigning specific sections to different supervisors, responsibilities are clearly delineated, reducing overlap and confusion.
- Timely Feedback: With multiple supervisors handling different modules, students can receive more timely and relevant feedback, facilitating steady progress.
Comprehensive Coverage:
- Holistic Development: Each module is addressed thoroughly, ensuring that all aspects of the research are well-developed and cohesive.
- Balanced Perspectives: Exposure to multiple supervisors brings diverse viewpoints and methodologies, enriching the research process.
Flexibility and Adaptability:
- Adaptive Supervision: As the research evolves, the modular approach allows for adjustments in supervision. If a particular section requires more attention, additional expertise can be allocated without disrupting the entire supervision framework.
- Scalability: This model is scalable to accommodate varying research complexities and student needs, making it suitable for a wide range of doctoral projects.
Enhanced Collaboration and Networking:
- Collaborative Environment: Working with multiple supervisors fosters a collaborative academic environment, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches and innovative solutions.
- Professional Networking: Students build relationships with several experts in their field, expanding their professional network and opening up more opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
Efficient Management of Workload:
- Balanced Workload: Distributing supervision across modules helps manage the workload more effectively for both supervisors and students, preventing burnout and ensuring sustained productivity.
- Resource Optimization: Institutions can better utilize their academic resources by matching supervisors’ strengths to specific research needs.
Personalized Learning Experience:
- Tailored Support: Students receive personalized guidance that aligns with their research interests and strengths, fostering a more engaging and supportive learning experience.
- Skill Development: Exposure to different supervisors’ expertise helps students develop a broader skill set and a more comprehensive understanding of their research topic.

Conclusion: The Modular Supervision Model offers a structured and flexible approach to doctoral supervision, leveraging specialized expertise to enhance the quality and efficiency of the research process. By dividing supervision responsibilities into manageable modules, this model ensures comprehensive coverage, fosters collaboration, and provides personalized support, ultimately contributing to the successful completion of high-caliber doctoral research.

Research Supervisor Process

SIMI Swiss understands that providing support and guidance to doctoral students throughout the research process and international publication not only reduces unnecessary stress and challenges for the doctoral students but also contributes valuable and high-quality research to society. With the unique Modular Supervision Model, doctoral students will gradually complete their PhD research, publish international papers, and meet the exceptionally rigorous standards of SIMI Swiss.

Learn more about the Research Supervision Process HERE.

Guidance on Publication

SIMI Swiss’s Doctorate by Publication program is renowned for its guidance and support, helping students not only complete their research but also successfully publish two international papers. The international publication guidance process at SIMI Swiss is implemented through the following steps:

Guidance on selecting the appropriate journal
Providing templates and methods for completing the submission
Submitting the paper to the journal
Guiding revisions based on feedback from the journal’s scientific board
Finalizing the paper for publication

Guidance on Revisions and Format Support

After submitting a research paper to an international journal, the editorial board typically provides feedback, often suggesting revisions to improve the paper before it can be accepted for publication. At SIMI Swiss, students receive comprehensive support to successfully navigate this critical stage of the publication process. Support activities include:

Detailed evaluation of the feedback with guidance from the research supervisor;
Assistance in refining, analyzing, and revising the paper to ensure it meets the journal’s standards;
Guidance in reformatting the paper according to the journal’s specific requirements;
Coaching on how to professionally and effectively respond to reviewer feedback. With personalized guidance and formatting support, researchers can confidently resubmit their revised paper, significantly increasing the likelihood of acceptance and publication.

This process ensures that their research meets the high standards of international journals, enhancing both their academic credibility and professional expertise.

Entry requirements & Learning methods

Entry Requirements

In addition to the entry requirements, candidates applying to the program are also assessed for their suitability by the admissions committee before joining the program to ensure that they can acquire and benefit from the program.

Entry requirements:

To enroll in this program, learners must be over 24 years old and meet at least one of the following criteria:

A Master’s qualification in Majors from accredited universities; or
A Level 7 EQF diploma or equivalent. Level 7 Diploma must be from organizations that are authorized to issue qualifications and have been accredited

English requirements:

If a learner is not from a predominantly English-speaking country, proof of English language proficiency must be provided.

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or equivalent;
Or A minimum TOEFL score of 101 or IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent.

Please note:

In case of not having proof of English language proficiency, learners must provide it within a year.
SIMI Swiss and AMU does not accept entry qualifications from counterfeit universities, Diploma Mills, or universities accredited by unreliable accreditation agencies.
SIMI and AMU reserves the right to make admissions decisions based on the requirements of recognized agencies and the global quotas of the program.

Learning methods

The qualification is designed to be delivered over 3 academic years for full-time study, but it also offers a flexible model to accommodate part-time and distance learning options.

The qualification is delivered in the following modes:

1. Off-campus Mode:

The program combines Live Classes with lecturers and local tutors (where applicable) for a hybrid learning experience.

- Offering interactive, real-time engagement with instructors.
- Local tutors provide additional guidance to help learners apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios (please note that local tutors only apply where SIMI has a scientific partner).
- Ideal for busy professionals seeking flexibility with personalized support.

Learn more about the overview of enrolling in online classes at SIMI Swiss [Video HERE]

Learn more about the effectiveness of SIMI Pedagogy [Video HERE]

2. Fully Online Mode:

The program is implemented using a combined automated training model that includes:

- Optimized Online Learning System: Designed to enhance the self-study process.
- Bite-Sized Lectures: Lessons are structured in short, manageable modules, enabling students to grasp the content immediately after completing each module.
- Comprehensive Support System: Provides students with the necessary tools and support to efficiently fulfil course requirements.

Learn more about how to use the automated training model [Video HERE]

Academic Support

We understand that pursuing an accredited postgraduate program can be both exciting and challenging, especially for busy adult learners. To help you overcome these challenges, we’ve created the SIMI Swiss Supporting Systems, designed to guide you through any difficulties during your studies.

For a full overview of the support available, be sure to watch our informative videos, offering help at every stage of your academic journey.