UI installs Usman as new rector

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.