Students reject rector candidates

SURABAYA: Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS) students protested Wednesday against the institute's senate for failing to involve students in the election process of its new rector.

A group of 100 students staged a rally outside the institute's main office where the senate was shortlisting five candidates for the rectorship. The protesters came from the Student Executive Board (BEM) and representatives of schools under the auspices of the ITS.

"We are united in rejecting the election process as we have not been involved since the beginning. How come the senate asks us to take part in the follow-up process?" BEM president Nugroho Freddyvianus asked.

Of 19 candidates, the senate voted for Muhammad Nuh DEA, Nadjadji Anwar, Happy Ratna S, Hadi Sutrisno and Nyoman Sutantra as the eligible candidates for the post.

Chief of selectors Soemartojo W and senior senator Mahmud Zaky met the students and asked them to lodge a written protest.

Soemartojo said government regulations on electing rectors did not allow students to take part in the first part of the process. -- Antara