Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., IPU., ASEAN.Eng., was invited to be one of the panelists in an online seminar entitled “AKEPT Global Series: University Presidents Forum in collaboration with UKM. Values-Based Leadership in ASEAN Higher Education” on Monday (14/9). This webinar was organized by the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Apart from UGM Rector, this event also invited several leaders of universities in the ASEAN region, such as the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
This seminar was held to discuss the culture of high performance in higher education institutions through values-based leadership. It is like creating a corporate culture for the university, dealing with various stakeholders, managing change, and dealing with crises.
Along with the global economy that is experiencing uncertain times and challenges like today, universities are expected to explore various ways to deal with these changes. There is a strong need for values-based leadership in setting a clear direction and vision for facing new frontiers in facing these obstacles. Therefore, it is necessary to transform the university to explain to stakeholders and all civitas for always uphold these values.
Nearly 266 participants attended the webinar on the Zoom platform, and more than 6,000 viewers via YouTube and Facebook live broadcasts. The event lasted for two hours, and the panelists took turns answering questions raised by the moderator.
Answering the first question about university values, Prof. Panut said that UGM has two philosophical values and five identities. The two philosophical values are: (1) Pancasila and Indonesian Culture (2) Science, Reality, and Truth. At the same time, the five identities of UGM are (1) National University, (2) the University of Grapple, (3) Pancasila University, (4) Democracy University, and (5) Cultural Center University.
“These values must always be upheld in every activity of the UGM community, both in carrying out education, research, and community service. By strengthening UGM values and identity and focus on serving, UGM is superior and innovative,” he said.
In the webinar, the panelists shared similar views regarding the importance of strengthening cooperation within ASEAN. Panut also emphasized the importance of unity in ASEAN, and this was agreed by the Vice-Rector of NUS, Prof. Tan Eng Chye, and UBD Vice-Rector, Datin Dr. Anita Binurul Zahrina, who encouraged her students to do mobility within ASEAN.
In achieving higher education performance indicators, financing is often an obstacle in itself. Therefore, universities no longer have to behave only as cost centers whose role is to spend money to achieve goals and units that must be productive to make money. The Vice-Rector of UKM emphasized it, Prof. Dato’ Mohd Hamdi Abd Sukor, who noted that leadership in higher education must consider this aspect.
This webinar discusses much exciting information as well as an acknowledgment of the presenting institution. UGM reinforces its role and position in the ASEAN region through this kind of forum.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/20073-rektor-ugm-hadiri-akept-global-series-university-president-forum
