Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) underwent a spot-check audit conducted by the Japanese Board of Audit (BoA) as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability in financial management.
The audit was carried out on five projects in Indonesia funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), one of which is the JICA Loan Project IP-576 implemented at UGM with the theme “Development of World-Class University with Socio Entrepreneurial Spirit.”
The activity, held at the UGM Central Office on Feb. 3, was attended by several JICA Jakarta representatives and BoA auditors from Japan, who focused on monitoring and evaluating the use of public funds managed by UGM.
Also present were the UGM Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, the Vice-Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems, the deans, vice-deans, and several heads of units within the UGM Central Office.
Vice-Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems Dr. Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho stated that BoA’s spot-check audit is expected to provide constructive feedback for UGM in enhancing the quality of its already well-managed financial system.
“With this audit, UGM hopes to become a more transparent, efficient, and integrity-driven educational institution and can set an example for other universities, especially in professionally managing public finances,” he explained in a statement to the press on Monday (Feb. 10).
Dr. Nugroho explained that the JICA Loan Project IP-576 at UGM has led to the construction of 10 learning center buildings spread across eight faculties/schools and a field research center (FRC) located in Kulon Progo Regency.
The facilities built through this project aim to facilitate more interactive, collaborative, and technology-based learning processes.
“These buildings are also equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, which will certainly support the enhancement of UGM’s global reputation,” Dr. Nugroho added.
JICA Jakarta’s senior representative, Okamura Kenji, appreciated UGM’s support in the spot-check audit of JICA-managed projects in Indonesia.
The audit at UGM covered various aspects of fund management, including budget planning, research fund usage, and financial report accountability.
The audit process involved a series of document reviews, interviews with UGM financial managers, and direct inspections of fund implementation at various faculty units and research centers.
“The BoA also provided recommendations on implementing more effective and efficient procedures to maximize the utilization of available funds,” he explained.
After the discussion session, the activity continued with field visits to the Law Learning Center (LLC), Dental Learning Center (DLC), Advanced Pharmaceutical Science Learning Center (APSLC), and Smart Green Learning Center (SGLC).
Before concluding the field visit, Okamura Kenji expressed his deep impression of UGM’s hard work in constructing the buildings and procuring laboratory equipment from 2017 to 2023.
He also praised the optimal use of the facilities to achieve the expected outcomes that were in line with the project’s theme.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya