UGM strips Ipong of doctorate

YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has offered Ipong S. Azhar another chance to propose a new thesis for a doctorate after stripping him of the degree for plagiarism.

"There is no opportunity for Ipong to revise his thesis but he can write a new one," the head of a special committee investigating the case, Boma Wikan Tyoso, said on Monday.

Boma said Ipong should approach his doctoral adviser, Ichasul Amal, who is also the university's rector, to discuss a new thesis.

The university senate annulled on Saturday Ipong's degree in sociology on the grounds that he violated academic ethics, said Boma, who is also the deputy rector.

Ipong said on Monday he disagreed with the decision but would accept it. He added he would not study for a new thesis.

"I prefer to go somewhere abroad and start from zero in my bid to achieve the title," he said. (44/dja)