Rector of UMB: Students Must Be Bold in Innovating Amid Global Change
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Universitas Mercu Buana (UMB) has urged new students to strengthen innovation and creativity to face global changes driven by advances in technology and data. The Rector of Universitas Mercu Buana, Andi Adriansyah, said that higher education institutions should not merely observe global change but actively participate as part of the solution.
This was stated in his opening speech for the second semester lectures of the 2025–2026 academic year for undergraduate, professional, and master’s programmes, delivered in a hybrid format from Studio Mercu TV, the Multimedia Building, Meruya Campus, Saturday (7 March 2026).
“The world you are entering is moving very quickly, shaped by technology, data, and creativity. Universities cannot merely observe changes; we must be inside them and be part of the solution,” Andi told the new students.
According to him, students need the courage to attempt new ideas, test them, and even experience failure as part of the learning process.
“Students must have space to try, test ideas, and even experience failure as part of the learning process. It is from experience that intellectual maturity is formed,” he said.
He added that the university’s commitment to innovation and academic quality is reflected in its achievements in various international rankings. Universitas Mercu Buana is said to be among the top private universities in Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, according to global ranking bodies such as QS World University Rankings, Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education, SCImago Institutions Rankings, and EduRank.
In addition to innovation, the university also emphasises the importance of integrity in academic life. According to Andi, academic values are not merely numbers on a transcript, but reflections of the learning process pursued honestly and responsibly.
“Integrity is not just a slogan written on a wall, but must be lived in the practice of learning and working every day,” he said.
UMB also promotes a culture of harmony amidst student diversity. Differences in background and views are regarded as spaces for healthy dialogue to enrich thinking while also shaping character.
As an inclusive educational ecosystem, the campus provides a range of outlets for developing students’ interests and talents through student activity units in research, arts, sport, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Additionally, the university ensures a safe campus environment by forming the Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education and by providing a complaint mechanism accessible to students with guarantees of reporter anonymity.