YOGYAKARTA- Universitas Gadjah Mada formed a fact-finding team to investigate cheating found in the International Program Entrance Examination in Faculty of Medicine UGM on July 13. The team is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Iwan Dwi Prahasto, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, with members Director of Academic Administration, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Internal Audit Unit, an IT expert, Security Unit, etc.. "The team will look for the cause to help police solve this case," UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc. said to reporters at the Leadership Meeting Room on Monday (16/7).
Pratikno said the main tasks of the team are among others helping the police uncover the roots of the cause, as well as designing a better test management system to prevent the recurrence of similar case in the future. Pratikno said that UGM is serious to resolve this case including constant coordination with the police. "Of course, we are concerned with this case, but we remain committed to find the person who abused the test, to bring it to court and coordinate with the police," he said.
Pratikno admitted concerns with the exam cheating case involving 52 prospective students of international program of Faculty of Medicine. Nevertheless, he considered the disclosure of this case is a form of preparedness of the supervisory committee in securing the exam.
In the same place, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Rr. Titi Savitri Prihatiningsih, M.A., M.Med.Ed, Ph.D., said the case is a major case as it involves 52 prospective students. Previously, the test takers on similar examinations were no more than one or two people.
Titi assessed that the ways taken by the test takers keeps changing and gets more sophisticated from time to time. Formerly it was carried out on behalf of another person’s name, now it uses sophisticated technology, such as mobile phones, and it is organized.
On that occasion, Titi said the participants who had been caught cheating at the exam have been disqualified and not allowed to take exams in all entrance tests in the following years. Meanwhile, the other participants do not have to worry if the test will be repeated or canceled. "The test is not repeated or canceled. We also apologize for any inconveniences," she said.
Director of Academic Administration, Prof. Dr. Budi Prasetyo Widyobroto, DESS, explained that UGM always anticipate against cheating at every entrance exam. "Online registration for UGM admission is done as an effort to prevent communication between prospective students with the test takers," Budi said.
Budi reminded prospective students and parents not to be easily tricked by promises and offers from irresponsible people. UGM does not tolerate any acts of cheating and there is no fee outside the official rate published, either on site or on the Faculty’s official brochure.