EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has further strengthened its strategic position in advancing academic perspectives that contribute to the formulation of national policies.
This follows the appointment of ULM Rector, Prof. Ahmad, as Chair of the Economy, Finance, and Monetary Affairs Working Group of the Indonesian Rectors Forum (FRI) for the 2025–2026 term.
The appointment was formally announced during the inauguration ceremony of the FRI executive board, officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, at the Ministry’s Building D in Jakarta on Monday, 6 July 2026.
Prof. Ahmad’s appointment is widely regarded as highly appropriate, given his distinguished background as a Professor at ULM’s Faculty of Economics and Business, as well as his extensive experience in organizational governance and resource management.
Through this new leadership role, ULM will play a key part in formulating policy recommendations on economic, financial, and monetary issues to be submitted by university leaders across Indonesia to the national government.
“Alhamdulillah, this appointment is both a responsibility and an honor—not only for me personally, but also for the entire ULM academic community. Through the Economy, Finance, and Monetary Affairs Working Group, we will strive to ensure that the voices and ideas of higher education institutions contribute to shaping national economic policies, including strengthening regional economies and promoting research downstreaming that delivers tangible benefits to society,” Prof. Ahmad said following the inauguration.
ULM’s influence within the Indonesian Rectors Forum was further reinforced by the appointment of Prof. H. Sutarto Hadi, who served as ULM Rector from 2014 to 2022, as one of the Chairs of the FRI Advisory Council.
The presence of two prominent ULM leaders within the Forum’s core leadership reflects the strong confidence placed in the South Kalimantan-based university and its capacity to contribute to national higher education policy and development.
ULM’s emphasis on research downstreaming and generating tangible societal impact also aligns closely with the National Dialogue entitled “The Relevance of Higher Education as a Center of Excellence for Innovation: Strengthening Synergy among Academia, Industry, and Government,” held following the inauguration ceremony.
During the interactive discussion with the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, university leaders agreed that higher education institutions should no longer function as isolated “ivory towers,” but instead transform into innovation hubs capable of addressing the nation’s pressing development challenges.
Strengthening this synergy among universities, industry, and government has become one of the principal agendas of the newly inaugurated FRI leadership.
The Chair of the Indonesian Rectors Forum for the 2025–2026 term, Prof. Garuda Wiko, reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to strengthening its role as a strategic partner of the government in shaping policies related to higher education, research, and innovation.
Through its active leadership of the Economy, Finance, and Monetary Affairs Working Group, ULM now has a broader platform to contribute its perspectives on national development while further reinforcing its position as a leading university with excellence in wetland research, education, and sustainable development.
