A total of 17 universities out of the 22 State Universities with Legal Entities (PTN-BH) in Indonesia attended a meeting of the Council of Professors (MDGB PTN-BH) at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI). All invited guests were welcomed by UPI Rector Prof. Dr. M. Solehuddin, M.Pd., M.A., at the South Hall of the Bumi Siliwangi Building, UPI Campus, Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung, on Thursday (September 19, 2024).

According to the Chair of UPI’s Council of Professors, Prof. Dr. Didi Suryadi, M.Ed., 100 representatives from 17 PTN-BH institutions in Indonesia, including the Chair of MDGB PTN-BH, Prof. Dr. Andi Pangerang Moenta, S.H., M.H., DFM, attended the meeting at UPI. He explained, “Their presence is expected to contribute more constructively to the advancement of education in the country, thereby strengthening Indonesia’s position in the international arena.”

The meeting took place on the 7th floor of the School of Graduate Studies Laboratory Building at UPI from Thursday to Friday (September 19-20, 2024). The theme of the event was “Bridging the Gap: Uncovering the Roots of Educational Inequality and Solutions for Equitable Education in Indonesia.”

Before entering the plenary and discussion sessions, which focused on academic issues, all participants listened to presentations from the keynote speakers: Prof. Ace Suryadi, M.Sc., Ph.D., Prof. Vina Adriany, M.Ed., Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Andi Pangerang Moenta, S.H., M.H., DFM.

Meanwhile, UPI Rector Prof. Dr. M. Solehuddin, M.Pd., M.A., in his opening remarks, stated that all professors attending the meeting should make the most of the short time available to discuss pressing issues in the context of the newly changing government, which may result in various new policies, including in the field of education.

“This is an opportunity for professors to interact with one another. Hopefully, brilliant ideas will emerge and be shared with the relevant authorities,” he hoped.

During the meeting, Commission A discussed Character Development and National Identity; Commission B: Development of Scientific Knowledge and Strategic Thought; Commission C: Development of Human Resources in Higher Education; and Commission D: Development of Norms, Ethics, Academic Culture, and Moral Integrity.

The 22 members of MDGB PTN-BH are: Universitas Andalas; Universitas Syiah Kuala; Institut Pertanian Bogor; Universitas Indonesia; Universitas Gadjah Mada; Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia; Universitas Diponegoro; Universitas Airlangga; Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember; Institut Teknologi Bandung; Universitas Hasanuddin; Universitas Padjadjaran; Universitas Negeri Semarang; Universitas Sebelas Maret; Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta; Universitas Brawijaya; Universitas Negeri Padang; Universitas Negeri Malang; Universitas Sumatera Utara; Universitas Negeri Surabaya; Universitas Terbuka; and Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia. (dodiangga)