The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Professor Ova Emilia, inaugurated 165 Heads and Secretaries of Departments for the 2026-2031 term, as well as 28 managerial officials across the Central Administration and Faculties. The event also included the handover of 110 Appointment Decrees for Prospective Permanent Lecturers, held at Grha Sabha Pramana, Bulaksumur, on Wednesday (Jan. 7).
The rector congratulated the newly appointed officials and expressed her hope that they would carry out their mandates with integrity and responsibility in advancing Universitas Gadjah Mada.
“Attending the inauguration this morning reminds me of a message from my late father, Professor H. Zaini Dahlan, who once said that life should be beneficial to others,” she remarked.
To be beneficial and impactful for others, one must possess competence, character, courage, innovation, and the ability to motivate, qualities that define true leadership.
Quoting Ki Hajar Dewantara’s well-known maxim, “Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha, Ing Madya Mangun Karsa, Tut Wuri Handayani,” the rector emphasized that a true leader stands at the front to set an example, in the middle to build enthusiasm, and at the back to encourage.
“I believe that those inaugurated today are selected individuals who will lead their respective organizations. Amid challenges of innovation and excellence, I hope your ideas will bring positive change to organizational development,” she explained.
In her address, the rector reminded the audience that Universitas Gadjah Mada faces major challenges ahead, including its role as one of seven state universities with legal entities (PTN-BH) representing Indonesia at the international level.
One key challenge is the ambition to enter the world’s top 100 universities, which will undoubtedly require collaboration from all stakeholders.
While rankings are not everything, she noted that they remain an important global benchmark. This context demands an agile, innovative, and adaptive organization, as well as leaders who practice transformational leadership focused on positive change, innovation, character, and dignity.
“I hope the officials inaugurated today embrace the spirit of positive change and continue to cultivate leadership, discipline, integrity, responsibility, and collaboration in every work process. May God Almighty guide us all in fulfilling this mandate with full commitment and responsibility,” she added.
Meanwhile, Professor Suadi, Director of Human Resources, reported on the handover of Appointment Decrees for Prospective Permanent Lecturers at UGM.
He explained that the appointments were part of the 2025 permanent lecturer recruitment process, conducted in an accountable and transparent manner from August to December 2025.
UGM opened 231 positions across 18 faculties and schools, attracting 906 applicants with master’s and doctoral qualifications.
“Through a rigorous selection process, 110 candidates, around 12 percent of total applicants, were selected. Of these, 31 (28 percent) already hold doctoral degrees (Ph.D.), 23 (20 percent) are currently pursuing doctoral studies, and 56 (51 percent) hold master’s or specialist qualifications,” he said.
Following the handover, the Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, Professor Supriyadi, congratulated the new lecturers. He noted that the recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool.
“As stated by the Director of Human Resources, more than 900 applicants took part in the selection process, and only 110 were accepted. Given the initial qualifications required to apply, this means you are among the best candidates for Universitas Gadjah Mada,” he said.
With the issuance of the decrees, Professor Supriyadi added that the recipients have not yet fully attained permanent lecturer status, as several further processes remain. However, with strong commitment, he believes the transition will not be difficult.
“At the very least, you will soon be able to undertake the training for lecturers, so that by the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year, you will hold permanent lecturer status at UGM,” he explained.
Among the officials inaugurated were Dr. Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana as Head of the Department of Politics and Government, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences; Professor Sony Warsono as Head of the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business; Professor Yanri Wijayanti Subronto as Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing; and Dr. Hempri Suyatna as Director of Student Affairs at UGM.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto Adi