The Academic Senate of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has opened the selection process for members of the Board of Trustees (Majelis Wali Amanat / MWA) for the 2026-2031 term.
The process follows the conclusion of the current term, which ends on May 29, for 19 MWA members. In accordance with regulations, the new composition must be submitted no later than three months before the end of the term. The UGM Academic Senate has established an Ad Hoc Committee to open registration and conduct the candidate selection process. The selection is designed to be transparent and to involve various stakeholders within UGM and the broader community.
Chair of the UGM Academic Senate, Professor Sulistiowati, explained that the MWA is a strategic board within the governance structure of a state university with legal entity status. According to Professor Sulistiowati, the MWA holds the authority to establish non-academic policies and oversee the university’s development direction.
She stated that this role is crucial in ensuring governance aligns with the institution’s vision. Sulis added that the existence of the MWA strengthens synergy among university organs in carrying out the tridharma mandate.
“The Board of Trustees is essential in advancing UGM as a state university with legal entity status because it plays a major role in formulating non-academic policies,” she said on Thursday (Feb. 26) at the Academic Senate Office.
Professor Sulistiowati further explained that the MWA’s authority is governed by Government Regulation No. 67 of 2013 on the UGM Statute. She noted that various strategic regulations, including the campus master development plan, are established through the MWA mechanism. According to her, the master plan serves as a guideline for UGM’s development over the next 20 years.
She added that human resources, finance, information systems, and governance fall within the scope of policies determined by the MWA.
“The contribution of the Board of Trustees is substantial in safeguarding the policy direction and development of Universitas Gadjah Mada,” she said.
Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Selection of MWA Members, Professor Deendarlianto, stated that the selection is being conducted as the current members’ terms are nearing their end.
Professor Deendarlianto, commonly known as Deen, said UGM is required to submit the new composition of members to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology no later than April 30, 2026. He explained that the MWA consists of representatives from the ministerial element, the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the Rector, community leaders, alumni, faculty members, education staff, and students.
He emphasized that the selection process will be conducted in accordance with prevailing regulations and through the Academic Senate’s plenary meeting.
“By April 30, 2026, at the latest, the Academic Senate must formally submit the new MWA members to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology,” he said.
He added that prospective candidates may register online through UGM’s official website. According to him, the online mechanism facilitates participation from the public and the academic community. He explained that each representative element follows a distinct selection scheme according to its characteristics. For the faculty representative element, the selection is conducted at the faculty level before being proposed to the committee.
“In the near future, the public will be able to register as candidates for MWA membership, and registration will be conducted online,” he said.
Professor Deendarlianto also outlined the stages and timeline of the selection process. The candidate registration period runs from February 26 to March 13, 2026, followed by administrative selection on March 16-17 and an objection period on March 25 to 26. Medical examinations for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for April 1 to 4, with results verification on April 8.
Selection based on representative categories will take place from April 9 to 22, followed by finalization on April 23. He stated that the appointment of MWA members will be determined at the Academic Senate Plenary Meeting on April 30, 2026.
During the question-and-answer session, the Chair of the Academic Senate explained that the MWA significantly strengthens university governance. According to her, various strategic policies, including the approval of the Strategic Plan (Renstra), the Annual Work and Budget Plan (RKAT), and organizational and governance regulations, are established through the MWA mechanism.
Professor Sulistiowati noted that the presence of community representatives within the MWA provides an external perspective that enriches decision-making processes. She also emphasized that MWA members are limited to a maximum of two terms under prevailing regulations.
Regarding the minister’s voting share in the rector election, she said the 35 percent provision remains grounded in national regulations that underpin UGM’s status as a State University with Legal Entity status (PTN-BH).
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Firsto