UGM Rector Professor Panut Mulyono began his role as chairperson of the Indonesian Rectors Forum for 2021-2022 after being inaugurated on Tuesday (27/7). He succeeds the former forum leader Professor Arif Satria (IPB University Rector).
In his speech, Panut highlighted the role of the university to provide solutions in dealing with uncertainties of the pandemic. According to him, academics must make progress every day and be at the forefront of addressing the nation’s problems. Educational institutions are now facing extraordinary challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in health and economic crises. But on the bright side, it has accelerated digital technology adoption in day-to-day life. He hopes the Forum can drive universities to embrace competition, keep innovating, and be adaptive without compromising the attributes and core values they uphold.
“Let’s collaborate so that our nation can progress much further. Your support and prayers enable the Indonesian Rectors Forum to be a platform that unites us and makes us progressive in dealing with problems and giving solutions. Hopefully, we can respond to disruption and rapid changes occurring today by innovation, allowing our higher education to stay adaptive and relevant,” he said.
The Indonesian Rectors Forum Conference took place online and was hosted by Universitas Gadjah Mada this year. It explored the theme Strategic Collaboration and “Freedom Campus” and “Freedom to Learn” programs and invited several distinguished speakers, namely the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment/Head of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahdalia. The convention resulted in Professor Mohammad Nasih’s (Airlangga University Rector) election as chairperson for the next period. President Joko Widodo was also present to open the annual event.
Author: Ika
Photo: Firsto