JPPI Criticises Unpad Professor for Harassing Foreign Student: Intellectual Prostitution

A foreign female student participating in an exchange programme is alleged to have been harassed by a professor at Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad). The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) has sharply criticised the despicable actions of the professor.

“This is intellectual and moral prostitution. The title of Professor is the pinnacle of academic honour. This is also a disgusting form of power abuse,” stated JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji to reporters on Friday (17/4/2026).

According to him, if the harassment is proven, the professor must be dealt with firmly. He wants the sanction to be dismissal.

“There is no room for negotiation. The sanction must be permanent dismissal with dishonour as a lecturer. Revocation of the Professor title should also be considered because he has lost the primary requirement for the position, namely moral integrity,” he continued.

JPPI, said Ubaid, is pushing for this case to be brought to the criminal realm using the Sexual Violence Crime Law (TPKS). Only with concrete legal steps, he explained, can the chain of impunity in the academic environment be broken.

“JPPI urges Unpad not to use the rhetoric of ‘resolving it in a family-like manner’. The campus must be a pioneer in law enforcement, not a shelter for predators,” he concluded.

In response to this case, Unpad has conducted an initial investigation. Unpad Rector Arief Sjamsulaksan stated that the lecturer in question has been temporarily deactivated from all academic activities.

“After receiving the complete report, on the same day Unpad immediately took firm steps by temporarily deactivating the lecturer from all academic activities,” he said.

Furthermore, Unpad is carrying out handling procedures in accordance with applicable regulations, including forming an investigation team. This process involves Unpad’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS) as well as faculty senate elements to ensure the investigation is objective and thorough.

In his statement, Arief emphasised that if a violation is proven, the campus will impose sanctions in accordance with statutory regulations.

“Unpad will consistently carry out the process of proof and handling of violence in accordance with the legislation, and prioritise the interests and safety of the victim. This applies to all Unpad citizens, including lecturers, students, and educational staff,” he explained.