UI installs Usman as new rector

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The University of Indonesia's (UI) board of trustees installed on Tuesday newly elected rector Usman Chatib Warsa to lead the university for the next five years.

Usman replaced UI's previous rector Asman Boedisantoso Ranakusuma, who ended his tenure as rector this year.

Usman was elected after he successfully beat 13 other rectorial candidates who had passed through several screening processes since April. At the final stage, Usman narrowly won in tough competition against dean of the school of social and political science Martani Husaini by 15 votes to 14.

Usman, 55, who was still officially UI's acting rector until Tuesday, is the university's 12th rector and the eighth from the UI school of medicine. The preceding rector, Asman also came from the same school.

Since 1950, UI has had two rectors from the school of engineering, one from the school of law and one from the school of letters.

This was the first election since the university was awarded new status as a state-owned incorporated entity in 2000.

Under the new status, UI is required to be more independent in its management and financing as the government plans to begin slashing its subsidy in 2005.

"For the six first months, I will improve the university administrative system. That is necessary as required by the new status of the university," Usman said.

Usman, who was awarded his doctorate by Kobe University, Tokyo, also vowed to improve UI's research division by promoting the implementation of new technology, including information technology, to support any research activities.

Also present at the installation ceremony were Minister of Education Malik Fadjar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda, deputy governor of the National Resilience Body Yuwono Sudarsono and Mochtar Riadi of Lippo Group, who is also chair of the board of trustees.