10 UGM Engineering Students Suspended Over Alleged Lewd Chat Scandal
The Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has suspended ten students suspected of participating in chats involving sexual harassment against a female student. The suspected students have been suspended from all academic activities effective today.
“This morning, the faculty planned to temporarily suspend all suspected students (documents are being prepared). It is true (suspension starts today); the suspension documents for the 10 suspected students will be signed shortly,” stated the Dean of FT UGM, Prof. Ir. Selo, via a short message on Tuesday (29/09/2026).
Selo mentioned that he met with the ten suspected students yesterday. He noted that investigations are ongoing, with the possibility that other students may be involved.
“I have met directly with the suspected students. There were 10 individuals yesterday, and we are continuing to investigate other students who may be involved. All of them are from the 2024 cohort,” he explained.
Previously, screenshots from a student chat group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DTETI) at the Faculty of Engineering, UGM, went viral on social media. The circulating screenshots revealed conversations that amounted to sexual harassment against female students.
“Threads users, it is sad because the VIRALITY of the FH UI case changed nothing… turning WOMEN into SEXUAL OBJECTIFICATION, how can they harass WOMEN so easily? It has happened again at UGM with different individuals. Please help BOOST this!!” wrote the Threads account @hmart_lw, as reported on Monday (28/09).
The uploaded screenshots contained sensitive language that degraded female body parts. The post has since been deleted.
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Engineering (FT) UGM and DTETI Ultra UGM have issued official statements via their official Instagram accounts. The following was quoted:
“STATEMENT OF POSITION FROM THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA (FT UGM). Regarding the occurrence of Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) involving students, FT UGM declares the following: FT UGM deeply regrets and strongly condemns the occurrence of online gender-based violence within the academic community. Such actions contradict the moral values, ethics, and integrity held by educated individuals.
FT UGM is fully committed to standing with the victims, ensuring the availability of assistance, protection, and a sense of security for the victims throughout the resolution process.
FT UGM is actively monitoring and pushing for the handling of this case to be resolved fairly, objectively, transparently, and accountably, in accordance with the regulations and disciplinary mechanisms applicable at UGM. Sanctions will be imposed on the perpetrators fairly.”
When asked for confirmation, the Head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) at UGM, Prof. Dra. Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, stated that the university is in the process of investigating the alleged sexual harassment case.
“Thank you for contacting me and for your attention; the case is currently being processed by the task force in conjunction with the university,” Yayi told reporters via short message on Monday (28/09).
Separately, UGM spokesperson Dr. I Made Andi Arsana expressed similar sentiments. He stated that the university is conducting an investigation and will provide further statements.
“UGM is taking careful and cautious steps to investigate this OGBV case. The Faculty of Engineering has already issued a statement of position. Coordination with relevant parties is being maintained well to ensure the steps taken are appropriate. We will provide updates at the earliest opportunity,” said Made via short message.