{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1764416,
        "msgid": "universities-must-be-free-from-political-interference-1780143396",
        "date": "2026-05-25 21:05:00",
        "title": "Universities Must Be Free from Political Interference",
        "author": "Putri Rosmalia",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "A coalition of civil society groups, religious leaders, and academics in Samarinda has called for universities to remain free from political interference, stressing that academic independence must be protected to preserve public trust. The group has pledged to submit a joint statement to the president urging clean and objective rector elections at Universitas Mulawarman, while highlighting the role of higher education in driving Indonesia's economic transformation towards 2045.",
        "content": "<p>Universities must remain free from political interference, as\ndiscussed during a cross-sector civil society consolidation in Samarinda\norganised by the East Kalimantan Education Moral Movement Forum.<\/p>\n<p>The event, attended by around 39 organisations, religious figures,\ntraditional leaders, cultural figures, academics, and youth groups,\nfocused on safeguarding campuses as spaces free from politics.<\/p>\n<p>Universitas Mulawarman\u2019s rector, Professor Abdunnur, attended the\nforum, which was deemed crucial for opening dialogue channels and\nconveying stakeholders\u2019 aspirations regarding education in East\nKalimantan, particularly at his institution.<\/p>\n<p>The forum views Universitas Mulawarman not merely as a higher\neducation institution but as a symbol of East Kalimantan\u2019s educational\nprestige that must be jointly protected from any interests threatening\nacademic independence. Discussions also included hopes for a smooth and\npolitically unimpeded rector election process at the university.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018When practical politics enters the campus, it\u2019s not just the system\nthat suffers, but public trust too. This is a red line that must not be\ncrossed,\u2019 said Syaharie Jaang, Chairman of the National Unity Forum, in\na statement on Monday (25 May).<\/p>\n<p>Attendees also signed a joint statement committing to uphold the\nindependence of higher education, reject campus politicisation, and\nensure a clean, objective, and dignified rector election process at\nUniversitas Mulawarman. The forum confirmed the statement will be\ndirectly submitted to the president.<\/p>\n<p>Universities bear significant responsibility for producing\nacademically competent graduates capable of adapting to workforce\nchanges and digital transformation.<\/p>\n<p>Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Brian\nYuliarto stressed the importance of collaboration between universities\nand industry to support economic transformation towards Golden Indonesia\n2045.<\/p>\n<p>Universitas Mercu Buana has reinforced its commitment to supporting\nsustainable UMKM transformation in the green and digital economy through\ncommunity service activities.<\/p>\n<p>BCA Director Hendra Tanumihardja stated that the BBI (BCA Share\nKnowledge) programme exemplifies the private sector\u2019s commitment to\nsupporting education.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/universities-must-be-free-from-political-interference-1780143396",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}