Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – Thesis research should not only demonstrate academic rigor but also address real issues and needs in school learning. This was the focus of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR), through its Master’s Program in Mathematics Education, when it held the 2026 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Thesis Research in Mathematics Education.
Held on Monday (August 11, 2026) at Hotel Ardiana, the FGD provided an opportunity for students to present their research proposals and receive direct feedback from lecturers and practicing teachers.
The FGD was attended by UMPWR Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teguh Wibowo, M.Pd., Dean of FKIP Dr. Riawan Yudi Purwoko, S.Si., M.Pd., Head of the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education Dr. Puji Nugraheni, S.Si., M.Pd., lecturers and students of the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education, as well as practicing teachers from several schools in Purworejo and Wonosobo.
In his remarks, the UMPWR Rector emphasized the importance of ensuring that university research goes beyond academic requirements. In his view, good research should be able to identify real-world problems and contribute to addressing them.
“Thesis research should not simply end as an academic document. We want students’ research to genuinely emerge from existing problems, particularly those found in schools, so that its findings can contribute to improving learning,” said Dr. Teguh.
The Rector also expressed his appreciation for the involvement of practicing teachers in the FGD. He noted that teachers’ first-hand experience with classroom learning can provide valuable input for students in understanding research problems from a broader perspective.
“Collaboration between universities and education practitioners like this needs to be strengthened. Lecturers and students bring academic perspectives, while teachers have direct experience in the field. By bringing these perspectives together, we hope to produce research that is more contextual and truly responds to actual needs,” he added.
Head of the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education and Chair of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Puji Nugraheni, S.Si., M.Pd., explained that the FGD was part of the program’s efforts to encourage students to conduct research that goes beyond fulfilling academic requirements and is closely connected to actual classroom practices.
The main agenda featured presentations of four student thesis research proposals. Each student presented their research design and received feedback and suggestions from lecturers, practicing teachers, and fellow students participating in the FGD.
The discussion was interactive, covering various aspects of the proposed research, from the problems underlying the study and its relevance to learning needs in schools to the research methodology and design. Feedback from lecturers and practicing teachers provided valuable input for students to refine and further strengthen their thesis proposals before moving on to the next stage of their research.
For the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education at FKIP UMPWR, forums such as this are part of efforts to foster an open and collaborative academic culture. Bringing together lecturers, students, and education practitioners creates opportunities for exchanging perspectives and experiences, ensuring that research is not only academically sound but also closely connected to the realities of learning in schools.
Through the FGD, FKIP UMPWR continues to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and schools in advancing mathematics education. Student thesis research is expected to generate relevant and contextual ideas and innovations that can make a tangible contribution to improving the quality of mathematics learning.
The 2026 FGD on Thesis Research in Mathematics Education also marks another step by the Master’s Program in Mathematics Education at FKIP UMPWR to continuously improve the quality of student research and strengthen its academic contribution to the development of mathematics education.
Contributor: FKIP UMPWR
Editor: Medkom UMPWR (AKb/KP)
