The Chancellor of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., IPU., ASEAN.Eng attended an online seminar entitled “AKEPT Global Series: University Presidents Forum” in collaboration with UKM as one of the panelists in “Values-Based Leadership in ASEAN Higher Education” on Monday (14/9). The Higher Education Leadership Academy arranged this webinar (AKEPT), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Besides UGM Chancellor, this event also invited several leaders of universities in the ASEAN region such as the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
This seminar was organized in order to discuss the culture of high performance in higher education institutions through values-based leadership. It is like forming a corporate culture for the university, dealing with various stakeholders, managing development, and how to deal with crises.
As the global economy is undergoing unpredictable times and challenges, universities are expected to explore various ways to deal with these changes. In facing these barriers, there is a strong need for values-based leadership in setting a clear direction and vision for facing a new frontier. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the university to always explain to stakeholders and society to uphold these values.
There were nearly 266 attendees on the Zoom platform, and 6,000 viewers via YouTube and Facebook live broadcasts in this webinar. The event endured for two hours, and the panelists took turns answering questions raised by the moderator.
Answering the first question about university values, Prof. Panut said that UGM has two philosophical values and five identities. The two philosophical values are (1) Pancasila and Indonesian culture (2) Science, Reality, and Truth. At the same time, the five identities of UGM are (1) National University, (2) the University of Grapple, (3) Pancasila University, (4) Democracy University, and (5) Cultural Center University.
“UGM must always uphold these values in every activity of the UGM community, both in carrying out education, research, and community service. By strengthening UGM values and identity that are focusing on serving, it made UGM superior and innovative,” he said.
In the webinar, the panelists shared similar views regarding the importance of strengthening cooperation within ASEAN. Panut also emphasized the importance of unity in ASEAN, and this was agreed by the Vice-Chancellor of NUS, Prof. Tan Eng Chye, and UBD Vice-Chancellor, Datin Dr. Anita Binurul Zahrina, who encouraged her students to have mobility within ASEAN.
In achieving higher education performance indicators, financing often becomes an obstacle in itself. Accordingly, universities no longer behave only as cost centers whose role is to spend money to achieve goals and units that must be produced to make money. Prof. Dato ‘Mohd Hamdi Abd Sukor, as the Vice-Chancellor of UKM, confirmed this statement. He emphasized that higher education leaders must consider this aspect.
This webinar discusses a lot of insightful information and acknowledgment of the presenting institution. Through this kind of forum, UGM attempted to strengthen its role and position in the ASEAN.
Author: Hakam
Translator: Natasa A