PAN Faction Member Tom Liwafa Earns Doctorate from UNAIR, Graduates Cum Laude

Dr Arizal Tom Liwafa, ST, MM, MH, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, has officially earned a doctorate in Human Resource Development (PSDM) from Universitas Airlangga (Unair). He was inaugurated during the graduation ceremony on Saturday (11 April) at the Airlangga Convention Centre (ACC), MERR-C Campus.

He achieved this doctoral degree after completing his studies over three years and eight months, with cum laude honours. This accomplishment serves as tangible proof of Tom Liwafa’s consistency and dedication in balancing his responsibilities as a people’s representative with his commitment to academia.

For Tom Liwafa, this achievement is more than just a formal title; it represents a moral responsibility to continuously enhance his capacity in order to make broader contributions to society. Amid his busy schedule as a legislator, he remained determined to complete his education to the highest level.

Tom Liwafa revealed that he chose to study at Unair due to its strong academic reputation, particularly in East Java, as well as its competitive intellectual environment.

He also believes that his academic experience at university has significantly impacted his role in politics. A more systematic mindset, sharp analytical abilities, and precision in crafting discourse have become essential tools in the legislative process and diplomacy.

“Education teaches us to think more wisely and structured. Moreover, the networks formed in the university environment, such as at Unair, are vast and strategic, especially for those entering the world of politics,” said Tom Liwafa.

Furthermore, Tom Liwafa encourages the younger generation to prioritise education. According to him, an academic background is an important foundation in facing various challenges and competitions in the future.

As a practical implementation of his knowledge, Tom Liwafa is committed to disseminating the results of his dissertation research titled Innovation Aesthetic for Sustainability Competence Advantage. He affirms that the research findings will continue to be developed to benefit the wider community.

Tom Liwafa’s steps demonstrate that academic research is not only relevant in the campus environment but also has the potential to provide real impacts on industry, public policy, and national literacy enhancement in the future.