Denmark Research Fraud Scandal: ITB States Prihantini’s Actions Are Personal Responsibility
The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has issued a firm statement regarding allegations of research manipulation (fraud) involving alumna Prihantini at the International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, held from 17-21 May. The university emphasised that the actions were entirely a personal matter and unrelated to ITB’s academic activities or institutional integrity.
FMIPA Dean Aep Patah explained that Prihantini, a 2020 Master of Mathematics graduate who completed her studies in 2022, presented material at the conference that differed significantly from her academic focus during her time at ITB. “ITB views Ms. Prihatini’s actions as a legal matter for an individual. Should legal proceedings arise, ITB fully respects them,” Patah stated in a press release on Thursday (28 May).
The case emerged after researchers from Udayana University, Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika and Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat, shared their findings on social media. They suspected data fabrication by an Indonesian research group comprising Prihantini, Rifaldy Fajar, and Rini Winarti. It is alleged that the manipulated research was a scheme to obtain grant funds from the international conference organisers.
Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto confirmed his ministry is monitoring developments. Although the alleged perpetrators are not current lecturers or researchers at Indonesian institutions, the government is taking the matter seriously. “This issue remains a priority for the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology as it could affect global perceptions of the national research ecosystem,” Yuliarto stressed.
As a precautionary measure, ITB is tightening academic oversight standards to protect the university’s reputation. The rectorate assured that the campus educational ecosystem upholds academic integrity and has zero tolerance for plagiarism or data fabrication.