ULM Rector Affirms Transparency in New Student Admission System Before Parliament

Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) has adopted a progressive policy by abolishing the institutional development fee (IPI) to open wider access for all segments of society. Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - Rector of Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) Prof Ahmad Alim Bachri affirmed that transparency has been implemented in the new student admission system (SPMB) before the Commission X DPR RI team during their visit in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. “We are committed to applying the principles of transparency and accountability in all pathways of new student admissions,” he said in Banjarmasin on Tuesday. The Rector explained that for the national pathway into state universities, both the national selection based on achievement (SNBP) and the national selection based on tests (SNBT), ULM is committed to following all selection results without intervention, so the results are entirely determined by the central committee. Then, in the independent pathway, ULM has taken a progressive policy by abolishing the institutional development fee (IPI) to open wider access for all segments of society. “Our principle is that no child of the nation with academic ability should be hindered from studying just because of economic limitations,” he stated. Since then, ULM has actively collaborated with local government and partners to ensure the continuity of students’ studies through scholarship programmes for those who are unable to afford it. Meanwhile, Chair of Commission X DPR RI Hetifah Sjaifudian appreciated ULM’s steps and all higher education institutions in South Kalimantan that have committed to realising the principle of social justice in education, while still maintaining academic quality. “We are absorbing input from higher education leaders regarding the implementation of SPMB and higher education financing policies so that in the future it can be better and more equitable,” she explained.