UMY Suspends Lecturer Over Alleged Sexual Harassment of Students
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has suspended a lecturer from its Pharmacy programme following allegations of sexual harassment against female students. The case went viral on social media after an account on Threads, silentscrm, posted three screenshots of WhatsApp conversations containing inappropriate messages from the lecturer to the students, claiming the screenshots came from three different victims.
Rector of UMY, Prof Achmad Nurmandi, stated in an official release that the university had received and reviewed the circulating information. UMY proactively launched a thorough investigation involving the university’s Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (Satgas PPKPT). On Saturday (11/7), the Pharmacy programme, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK), and the university’s PPKPT task force conducted tracing, examination, and identification of parties suspected of involvement or possessing information about the incident.
“Based on the examination results and initial recommendations from the Pharmacy Study Programme, FKIK, and the UMY PPKPT Task Force, the university has temporarily suspended the lecturer in question from all academic and non-academic duties,” Nurmandi stated on Sunday (12/7). The temporary suspension will remain in effect until the investigation process is completed and a further decision is issued by the university in accordance with applicable regulations.
Nurmandi added that the investigation team will also examine the possibility of other related or similar cases that may not have been reported, ensuring no information or issues are overlooked. UMY is committed to providing support, protection, and psychological assistance to the victims and those who have provided information. The university is providing a safe reporting channel, protecting the confidentiality of identities, offering psychological support, and ensuring victims can participate in the handling process without pressure or intimidation. “UMY affirms that it has zero tolerance for any form of harassment, violence, intimidation, or other actions that may threaten the safety, comfort, and dignity of every individual within the campus environment,” Nurmandi stressed.