EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has further strengthened its national presence after two of its distinguished figures were appointed to strategic positions within the Forum of Indonesian Rectors (FRI) for the 2025–2026 term. The appointments reflect national recognition of ULM’s contributions to the advancement of higher education and public policy in Indonesia.
ULM Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmad, S.E., M.Si. was officially inaugurated as Chair of the Working Group on Economics, Finance, and Monetary Affairs during the FRI Executive Board Inauguration Ceremony held at the Hall on the 2nd Floor of Building D, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), Jakarta, on Monday (July 6, 2026).
In addition, Prof. Dr. H. Sutarto Hadi, M.Si., M.Sc., Professor at ULM’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education and Rector of ULM from 2014 to 2022, was appointed as one of the Chairs of the Advisory Council of the Forum of Indonesian Rectors.
These appointments underscore ULM’s growing influence within one of Indonesia’s most strategic higher education forums, which serves as a platform for university leaders to contribute recommendations on national higher education, research, and innovation policies.
As Chair of the Working Group on Economics, Finance, and Monetary Affairs, Prof. Ahmad will oversee a range of strategic studies focusing on strengthening the national economy, promoting research downstreaming, and enhancing the contribution of higher education institutions to both regional and national development.
“Alhamdulillah, this appointment is both a responsibility and an honor—not only for me personally, but for the entire ULM academic community. Through the Working Group on Economics, Finance, and Monetary Affairs, we will strive to ensure that the voices and ideas of higher education institutions play a meaningful role in shaping national economic policies, including regional economic development and research downstreaming that delivers tangible benefits to society,” Prof. Ahmad said following the inauguration ceremony.
The FRI Executive Board was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D. The inauguration was followed by a National Dialogue themed “The Relevance of Higher Education as a Center of Excellence for Innovation: Strengthening Synergy among Academia, Industry, and Government.”
The dialogue emphasized the importance of collaboration among universities, government institutions, and industry to enable higher education institutions to serve as innovation hubs capable of addressing Indonesia’s national development challenges.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Garuda Wiko, S.H., M.Si., Chair of the Forum of Indonesian Rectors for the 2025–2026 term, expressed his expectation that the newly appointed leadership would further strengthen FRI’s role as a strategic partner to the government in formulating policies related to higher education, research, and innovation.
Through its active participation in the leadership of the Forum of Indonesian Rectors, ULM is expected to broaden its contribution to national policymaking while reinforcing its position as a leading university committed to academic excellence, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
