Universitas Indonesia (UI), through its Special Committee for Rector Selection (Pansus Pilrek), has officially announced the seven shortlisted candidates for the position of UI Rector for the 2024–2029 term. The increasingly competitive selection process has brought forward candidates with exceptional academic backgrounds and extensive experience, expected to lead UI to greater achievements on both national and international stages.
The names of the seven candidates are as follows (in alphabetical order):
1. Agus Setiawan, S.Kp., M.N., D.N. (Faculty of Nursing UI)
2. Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, SpPD-KGEH, MMB, FINASIM, FACP, FACG (Faculty of Medicine UI)
3. Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU (Faculty of Engineering UI)
4. Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Faculty of Engineering UI)
5. Prof. Khreshna Imaduddin Ahmad Syuhada, S.Si., M.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Bandung Institute of Technology)
6. Prof. Dr. Ir. Riri Fitri Sari, M.Sc., M.M., IPU (Faculty of Engineering UI)
7. Teguh Dartanto, Ph.D. (Faculty of Economics and Business UI)
Three of the Seven Candidates Come from FTUI
The three rector candidates from the Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia (FTUI) who passed the UI rector selection process for the 2024–2029 term have impressive track records. Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, currently the Dean of FTUI, is renowned for his leadership in technological innovation and contributions to Indonesia’s industrial development and was the youngest professor inaugurated by FTUI at the age of 37. Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., Chair of the FTUI Academic Senate and a professor in the field of architecture, has played a significant role in integrating design with environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Ir. Riri Fitri Sari, M.Sc., M.M., IPU, Secretary of the FTUI Board of Professors and Chair of UI GreenMetric, specializes in information and communication technology and is known for her contributions to bridging digital infrastructure development.
Acting Dean of FTUI, Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., shared his views on the nomination of the three FTUI figures. “The presence of three candidates from FTUI reflects the faculty’s excellence in producing leaders capable of bringing positive change to UI. We hope that whoever is selected will take the university to new heights, both in innovation and global contributions,” he said.
Prof. Mahmud further emphasized that there are high expectations for these candidates to strengthen international collaboration and foster sustainable innovation. “FTUI always encourages the spirit of collaboration and innovation. We believe that these candidates can bring UI to greater prominence globally through breakthroughs in technology and science,” he added.
Transparent and Rigorous Selection Process
The screening process, held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the UI Administration Building in Depok, involved an evaluation team comprised of UI academic experts, including **Prof. Dr. Bambang Wibawarta, S.S., M.A.** (Chair of Pansus Pilrek UI), **Prof. Dr. dr. Budi Wiweko, Sp. O.G, Subsp. F.E.R., MPH, Int.** (Chair of the UI Academic Senate), **Prof. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, S.H., M.A., Ph.D.** (Chair of the UI Board of Professors), and **Prof. Dr. Ir. Sigit Pranowo Hadiwardoyo, DEA** (Chair of the UI Rector Selection Committee).
Rector candidates were asked to present their profiles and future plans, including their track records and achievements, entrepreneurship (fundraising abilities), program plans, and proposed breakthroughs. They shared their vision and mission for leadership, insights into UI, and strategic plans aligned with UI’s general policies and long-term development plans.
Prof. Bambang stressed the importance of a solid track record in this selection. “We must know their background and past achievements. It’s impossible for someone who hasn’t accomplished much to suddenly take a big leap and achieve something monumental. Of course, we need to pay close attention to their track record,” he said.
He also highlighted that the selected UI Rector must have entrepreneurship skills to raise funds from UI’s potential resources so that the university’s funding does not rely solely on student tuition fees. The rector is expected to introduce innovations that can improve UI’s quality or ranking both nationally and globally and possess excellent communication skills to open up more opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners.
“The world is very dynamic. The faster the changes, the more challenges we face. The selected UI Rector must be able to meet these challenges by building robust systems, fostering good partnerships, and possessing the other skills UI needs,” Prof. Bambang added.
Meanwhile, the Chair of UI’s Board of Trustees (MWA), Dr. (HC) Yahya Cholil Staquf, expressed his highest appreciation to the 13 prospective rector candidates who participated in the selection process. “Alhamdulillah, those who registered for the UI rector selection are figures with exceptional capacity and track records that are highly relevant to UI’s future needs and challenges. The MWA must hold thorough discussions to narrow down the candidates to seven, and, InsyaAllah, we will implement even stricter methods to select the truly best figure to lead UI,” said Gus Yahya.
Furthermore, to assess the seven shortlisted rector candidates, UI is opening the opportunity for the public to provide input regarding the candidates’ track records. This public input can be submitted via the website www.pemilihanrektor.ui.ac.id from September 10 to 16, 2024.
The public input received will be considered by the MWA UI in the process of selecting the three final rector candidates. In the next screening stage, UI will invite expert panellists to participate in the presentation process, which will focus on the future development direction of UI and provide recommendations to the MWA. The invited expert panellists will be experts in higher education management, university governance, and innovation or change management.
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Office of Public Communications
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia