Two candidates selected for UI rector
Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Two people remain in the running for the rectorship of the University of Indonesia (UI) after its board of trustees dropped two candidates during a vote on Monday.
UI acting rector Usman Chatib Warsa, who is also a professor of medicine, and Martani Huseini, who is the dean of UI's School of Social and Political Sciences, are the remaining candidates.
One of the Board members, Ascobat Gani, said that each of the remaining candidates won six votes, while Djoko Hartanto managed five votes and Jimly Asshidiqie two votes.
The criteria for the vote was based on a set of academic and non academic prerequisites.
"Managerial competence, among other things, is deemed as the main criteria for the selection," Gani said.
The Board of Trustees also thoroughly examined the candidates' performance and presentation at the second round of the fit-and- proper test.
The nominees presented their views on human resources and development, study programs and budget plans in response to the board's queries.
Asked about the effectiveness of UI's diploma program, Usman said it was not the major goal of the university despite the fact it contributed about a quarter of its total income.
"So, to some extent the diploma program is still needed as it's still worth selling," Usman said, adding that some of the diploma programs would be stopped.
However, he said that diploma programs and undergraduate studies that complimented each other, such as the broadcasting diploma and communications undergraduate degree, should be maintained.
Usman and Martani will debate all the issues in public on Tuesday in the UI's convention hall. On Aug. 14, the board will decide who will be the new rector.
Meanwhile, the UI's Student's Consultative Assembly (MPM) voiced concerns about the election process.
"We are worried the process is based on subjective considerations," MPM chairman Meidy Ferdiansyah said.
Separately, Gani said the board was free of any external influences that would affect its decision.
Board head Mochtar Riady said that only 19 of the Board's 21 members voted as the minister of education, representing the government, was absent, while Usman could not exercise his voting rights as acting rector.
"So far no candidates have managed to get a majority vote," Mochtar said, underlining the significance of fairness during the election.