Selo Sumardjan receives Hemengku Buwono IX award

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta awarded Selo Sumardjan, a professor of sociology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, for his notable integrity within the discipline and his strong commitment to social and cultural matters nationwide.

The award presentation, also witnessed by Ichlasul Amal, rector of Gadjah Mada University and Yogykarta Governor Hamengku Buwono X, was conducted in connection with the university's 52nd anniversary celebrations.

Besides Selo, R.J. Katamsi, an artist, was also awarded for winning a contest for the design of the university's logo.

Ichlasul said Selo deserved the award because of his strong commitment to the discipline of sociology and to social and cultural problems in the country.

"Selo's integrity and expertise led the university's senate to confer the award on him," Antara quoted him as saying at the presentation ceremony at the university's campus on Saturday.

Ichlasul also said that the university was developing autonomy to promote democracy in the campus and to make it self-sufficient in its financial matters.

"Under the autonomy program, the university will implement more professional management and make itself accountable to the public," he said.

The university has established a representative assembly whose members are recruited from both academics and students, who determine its policy in implementing the autonomy program, including electing its rector.

Under the autonomy program, the university will be required to improve its performance, especially within the academic field, he said.

"We will take necessary measures to improve academic quality in matters of student entry, curriculum development, school and research activities and applied science," he said.