UNAIR NEWS – There were eleven Academic Senate (SA)of  Universities as Legal Entity (PTN-BH) joined in SA-PTN-BH Forum held as annual meeting in Bandung on Thursday, July 13. This year, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) acts as Forum Coordinator of PTN-BH Academic Senate as well as the host.

On this occasion, Universitas Airlangga SA delegation was represented by Prof. Dr. M. Amin (Chairman of SA), Iman Prihandono, Ph.D (Secretary of the SA); Prof. Dr. Suwarno (Chairman of Commission II SA); Dr. Santi Martini (Secretary of Commission III); And Dr. Endang D. Masithah (Member of SA).

On the first day, Prof. Intan Ahmad, General Director of Belmawa – Kemristekdikti. Regulation of Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education No. 15 in 2017 on the naming of programs at universities was also discussed.

In the first session, the participants asked about the BAN-PT circular which requires the university to get BAN-PT approval in proposing the new program. According to the participants of the meeting, it contradicts  the autonomy and independence of PTN-BH. Meanwhile, based on the statutes, each PTN-BH grants the authority independently to open a new program.

The session continued with presentation of problems and best practice from each PTN-BH SA attending. Iman represented UNAIR and explained the good relationship between the major organs of UNAIR (MWA-SA-Rector) as PTN-BH.

“Some PTN-BHs’ budget structure seems showed a big portion of  the management cost and routine expenditure,” said the lecturer of Faculty of Law UNAIR.

Responding to the presentation of Iman, Prof. Indratmo Soekarno as Chairman of SA ITB acknowledged some PTN-BH still has a very large number of personnel.

“It is better for the future PTN-BH if it can optimize the use of information technology in the management of university. So it can maximize the use of budget for the main business of universities, education, research, and community service, “said Prof. Indratmoko.

The PTN-BH SA Forum Assembly compiled several recommendations from all PTN-BH SA. Among the recommendations was SA should play an active role in addressing the changing character of students from generation Z who tend to be active in using gadgets, social media, and the internet. The second recommendation is that higher education should improve character education and literacy culture.

The assembly ended with the handover from SA ITB to SA Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) which will act as Coordinator for 2017/2018. (*)

Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh