Jakarta, August 17, 2005
As I began to think of how to write my personal statement, I asked my colleagues and family how they would describe me if they had the task of introducing me to the Admissions Committee. Their responses, together with my own thoughts, provide an excellent basis for explaining the goals that I hope to achieve with a doctorate degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Although I have learned more from my experiences over the last fifteen years, as a member of the teaching staff, than many people do in a lifetime, I have no doubt that I can still further improve my skills and knowledge to become a better lecturer and researcher. This is why I would like to pursue a Doctor's Degree in Law. In following the study, I would like to focus on international business transactions that primarily deal with foreign investment and arbitration. The importance of these fields of study in Indonesia has been increasing steadily. (Please see "Why Research?" at http://gsoemartono-ps2.blogspot.com/)
Based on my academic and professional experience in law and management over the last fifteen years, I strongly believe that I would be able to satisfy the standards of the NUS Law Faculty by successfully completing the advanced work of the Doctoral program. The knowledge and discipline I have gained from my experience will be a tremendous benefit to me to achieve not only my own goals, but those of the Faculty of Law as well.
In addition, securing a Ph.D. Degree will pave my way towards a professorial rank since, under the new government regulation, “only” lecturers with doctoral holders are eligible to receive professorship tenures. Therefore, obtaining a Doctor of Laws Degree at such a prestigious institution as the NUS Law Faculty would contribute greatly to my job and career.
