UI rectorial candidates don't fit the bill

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The University of Indonesia's aim to have a new rector with a combination of academic and entrepreneurial skills is unlikely to happen because none of the candidates fit the bill.

By the time Saturday's deadline for the applicants to register had passed, only 14 candidates had submitted their forms. Twelve of them are from the university, while only two are from other institutions: from the Institute for Koranic Studies and from the National Police.

"It's very difficult to find candidates (with academic qualifications as well as entrepreneurial skills)," admitted Indrajid Soebardjo, deputy chairman of the university's Rectorial Election Committee (PPR).

Among the candidates from the University of Indonesia (UI) are Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, head of the criminal department of the School of Law, UI, and Jimly Assidiqie, a professor of administrative law of the same school. While most of the others are the deans of various schools at the university.

"It was only those applicants who submitted the forms," Indrajid said.

He added that some applicants had picked up the application forms but had not returned them. Among them was an official of state oil firm Pertamina.

Even though none of the candidates meet the demands, Indradjid said that UI would go ahead with the election anyway. "At least the candidates feel that they have an entrepreneurial spirit," he said.

He attributed the short list of candidates to the specific and strict conditions required by the university.

Among the requirements are that the candidates should have a doctoral degree from a university recognized by UI and not be older than 60 years old.

The candidates should not have served in any political party for the last two years. They must also be ready to work full- time.

In addition to these general conditions, Indrajid added, candidates should possess good qualities both as a scholar and as an entrepreneur.

UI needs a scholar with an entrepreneurial spirit because the new rector is expected not only to promote learning and knowledge but also to usher in the university's new mission: being more independent in regards to financing and research. This is in accordance with the new status of UI, as well as other state universities, as a State-owned Incorporated Entity (BHMN) in 2000. The status requires them to be more independent in financial and management affairs.

The new rector will take up the post in August and serve a five-year term. The new rector will replace the acting rector, Usman Chatib Warsa.

After a fit-and-proper test, the names will be announced to the public before the final selection.

UI Rector Candidates: Harkristuti Harkrisnowo (Head of the criminal dept., School of Law), Jimly Assidiqie (Professor of State Administrative Law), Budi Soesilo Supanji (Dean, School of Engineering), Djoko Hartanto (Lecturer, School of Engineering), Usman Chatib Warsa (UI acting rector, Professor of Medicine), Amal Chalik Sjaaf (Lecturer, School of Medicine), Salamun (Lecturer, School of Medicine, a retired police officer), Noekman Moeloek (Lecturer, School of Medicine), Martani Huseini (Dean, School of Social and Political Science), Toemin A Masoem (Dean, School of Communication Science), Suhardjo Poertadji (Dean, School of Math and Natural Sciences), Prijono Tjiptoherijanto (Professor of School of Economy, also Secretary of Vice President), Ahmad Munif (Lecturer, Institute for Koranic Studies), Teguh Soedarsono (Official at the National Police).