The process of selection and election of Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reached its peak with the holding of plenary meeting of the Board of Trustees of UGM on Monday (17/4) at the Senate Hall UGM. After a four hour meeting, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. is appointed rector elect that will lead UGM in the next five years.
“We have undergone a good process and completed the plenary meeting today with the end result of Prof. Panut Mulyono having 15 votes and Prof. Ali Agus 10 votes. It is hereby declared by the Board of Trustees that Prof. Panut Mulyono is UGM Rector for the period of 2017-2022,” said Chair of Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., who also chairs the final round of the voting on Monday (17/4).
As many as 18 of 19 members of the Board were present, namely Sri Sultan HB X, Director General for Learning and Student Affairs, representing Higher Learning Minister, Prof. Intan Ahmad Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., Prof. Ainun Na’im, MBA., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. dr. Hardyanto Soebono, Sp.KK(K)., Prof. Dr. Ir. Indarto, DEA., Prof. Dr. Ir. Zaenal Bachruddin, M.Sc., Subejo, SP., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Si., Paminto Adhi, SE., M.Si, Muhsin Al Anas, Prof. Dr. Tahir, MBA., Ir. M. Basuki Hadimuljono, M.Sc., Ph.D., Ir. Agus Priyatno, Ir. Budi Karya Sumadi, Wisnuntoro, S.E., M.M, Dr.es.sc.tech., and Ir. Ahmad Rifai, MT.
Prior to the voting, the three rector candidates presented their work programme, followed by a Q&A session. The candidates are Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., Dr. Erwan Agus Purwanto., and Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. Afterwards, a voting was done directly, freely, and confidentially. The voting had to go in three rounds because in the first round, two candidates received same number of votes, 7. A second round was called to determine the second candidate that will go through to the final round along with Panut Mulyono that got the highest votes, 11. Here, Erwan Agus earned 12 votes while Ali Agus 13 votes to go through to the final round. Finally, Panut Mulyono earned the most votes with 15 and Ali Agus 10.
“I’m thankful that all has run well. So, I would like to have your support from you all so that I can caary out the heavy mandate (to lead UGM) for the progress of UGM, the state and the nation,” said Panut after the closing of the plenary meeting.
The current Dean of Faculty of Engineering said that he would continue the programme already running with the current rector, particularly on human resource improvement of UGM. He would also encourage research development to improve UGM reputation and enlarge UGM contribution to the state.
The plenary meeting was also attended by Commission of State Apparatus (KASN) that oversees and monitors the process of rector election. Chair of the Commission, Sofian Effendi, told journalists that the process of UGM rector election had run fairly and transparently. He added this election could be made the model for other universities in electing their best candidates for the highest leaders.
“Through a process which is very fair, transparent, and honest, this morning we have elected 1 of 3 rector candidates. UGM has again showed and established the standard that can be adopted by all universities in Indonesia how to elect a rector without a fuss, but peaceful with the spirit of brotherhood, all for the interest of UGM,” he explained.
Meanwhile, UGM Alumni Association congratulated the rector elect, Prof. Panut Mulyono. They appreciated the election committee that had conducted the election well, in order, peaceful, participative, and transparently. The association appreciated the UGM academic community, especially the Board of Trustees and Academic Senate, for giving a good role model for democratisation process on campus.
“This can be made a good model for all state elements on how to manage diversity and differences without damaging the excellent values of democracy,” said Chairman of the Association, Ganjar Pranowo. Furthermore, the Association thanked the current rector, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, for her service to UGM. They hope the rector elect would be able to continue Prof. Dwikorita’s spirit in leading UGM to achieve progress, making achievements without forgetting the value of people and nationhood.