Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a public hearing for student representative candidates for the Board of Trustees (MWA), as part of a democratic process to elect student delegates to the university’s highest governing body. The three candidates for the student representative position on MWA are Dani Ardian from the Undergraduate Philosophy Program, Fitri Ariska from the Master’s Program in Philosophy, and Arkan Pradipta from the Master’s Program in Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.
UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, welcomed the public hearing as a meaningful step in ensuring student participation in the university’s development.
He emphasized the importance of student involvement in shaping UGM’s future.
“This is not merely about who gets elected, but about building a representative organization. The Board of Trustees serves as a collective learning space for responsibility, networking, and leadership,” said Vice-Rector Sujito on Tuesday, Jun. 17, 2025, at the Multimedia Room, UGM Central Office.
Echoing his remarks, Chair of the Academic Senate, Professor Sulistiowati, stated that the MWA represents a miniature of the ideal UGM community, diverse yet united.
She also underscored the importance of electing candidates with integrity and dedication, not solely academic excellence.
“MWA is not only involved in non-academic policymaking but also serves as a platform for voicing student interests in areas such as human resources, finance, and partnerships,” she noted.
The outgoing student representative to the Board of Trustees for 2024, Dewa Ayu Maden Diyah Amanidi, reflected on her experiences during her term.
She encouraged students to ask critical questions to better understand each candidate’s vision and commitment.
“I hope students openly express their expectations and entrust their voice to the candidate best prepared to represent them,” she said.
The public hearing served as an essential forum for assessing the candidates’ ideas, visions, and communication skills.
Participating students actively posed questions, shared critiques, and offered feedback to the three nominees vying for this strategic role.
Through this public hearing, UGM reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a democratic, participatory, and sustainability-oriented campus governance.
Student involvement in strategic decision-making is expected to strengthen UGM’s position as an adaptive, inclusive, and forward-looking university.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian