The UGM Academic Senate has been accepting registrations for the election of members of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Board of Trustees (MWA) for the 2026-2031 period since February. The process has now entered the talk show stage, where candidates present and exchange their ideas and perspectives. This idea-sharing talk show was held over two days, April 14-15, at the Multimedia Room of the UGM Central Office Building.
“As a form of procedural justice, this talk show serves as evidence that the election process for MWA UGM members is conducted transparently and fairly, providing equal opportunities for all candidates,” said Chair of the UGM Academic Senate, Professor Sulistiowati, on Wednesday (Apr. 15).
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, expressed her appreciation for the MWA candidates, particularly those who are not UGM alumni.
“This is a positive development because Universitas Gadjah Mada returns to its historical roots, it is the first university established by the Indonesian state after independence. Therefore, I believe UGM belongs to everyone,” she said.
Professor Ova also expressed hope that the elected MWA members would contribute meaningfully to UGM. She noted that universities today are expected not only to fulfill the Tridharma of higher education but also to remain globally competitive.
“All of this requires the involvement of the MWA as the highest governing body to provide strategic direction for UGM’s future,” she added.
On the second day, the talk show was dedicated to candidates from the community leaders and UGM alumni categories. In the first session, a panelist, Professor Armaidy Armawi of the Faculty of Philosophy, asked candidates about their motivations for applying. From their responses, it was evident that strong personal connections and ties to UGM underpinned their decisions.
As expressed by Professor Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, one of the candidates representing community leaders, “UGM is not merely my alma mater, it is an intellectual womb that has shaped my entire life vision and work,” he said.
Furthermore, participants were asked about their roadmaps for the Tridharma and strategies to accelerate UGM’s entry into the top 100 universities globally, without losing its distinctive identity. In this session, each candidate outlined plans based on their respective fields, such as health, education, culture, economics, and the military.
Former Indonesian Minister of National Education (2009-2014), Professor Mohammad Nuh, another candidate from the community leaders category, emphasized the importance of understanding the essence of the Tridharma of higher education.
“The Tridharma must be understood holistically, not partially. What is the ultimate benefit for society? If the orientation is to create real impact, then the three elements of the Tridharma will not operate independently but will consistently support one another. In addition, in managing academic resources, we must build a meritocratic system,” he concluded.
As reported, 75 candidates have passed the final administrative document verification. The election of MWA members will take place on April 24, 2026, to select 19 representatives from various groups: community leaders (6), professors (3), non-professor faculty members (3), alumni (2), educational staff (1), and students (1).
Meanwhile, the three ex officio MWA members are the Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, and the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Author: Leony and Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Firsto and Donnie