EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — The Chair of the Senate of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) has raised concerns over the unresolved election of the university’s rector for the 2026–2030 term, calling on the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to provide a clear timeline and an open explanation to the Senate regarding the next steps in the process.
“With the authority vested in him, the minister could actually make a decision and set an election schedule so that the rector election involving the ministry can proceed. The UPNVJ Senate and Rector Election Committee are ready to carry out the process and ensure that the election of rector candidates complies with the applicable regulations,” said Irsyaf Marsal, Chair of the UPNVJ Senate.
According to an official UPNVJ announcement dated Oct. 6, 2026, three candidates advanced to the election stage: Anter Venus, who received 30 votes; Memen Kustiawan, with two votes; and Abdul Halim, also with two votes. The three candidates had also participated in a ballot to determine their candidate numbers in preparation for the election stage involving the minister.
In the announcement, Senate Chair Irsyaf Marsal said the election schedule was still awaiting approval from the ministry. The Senate continued to coordinate with the ministry to ensure that the process proceeded in accordance with established procedures. However, the election had yet to take place by the end of the incumbent rector’s term.
He said the ministry’s authority should be accompanied by adequate communication explaining why the final election had not been held, what steps remained, and when the process was expected to be completed.
He also stressed the importance of reviewing every complaint objectively and fairly, while providing the parties concerned with an opportunity to respond. This would ensure that complaints could be addressed without creating prolonged uncertainty. He added that complaints submitted in stages had already been clarified objectively and transparently by teams from the Directorate General of Higher Education and the Inspectorate General.
Meanwhile, in an official statement issued on Oct. 28, 2026, UPNVJ announced the appointment of Nur Syarifah, S.H., LL.M., as acting rector, effective Oct. 27, following the end of Prof. Anter Venus’s term on Oct. 26.
The statement said the appointment was intended to maintain leadership continuity and academic services until a permanent rector is inaugurated. The Senate said it respected the ministry’s authority and supported the continuation of the election process in a transparent, accountable, fair, and democratic manner.
Sri L. Wahyuningroem, a Senate member involved in the UPNVJ rector election, said the ministry should set an example of democratic practices for higher education institutions.
“Clarity about moving forward to the next stage of the rector election is essential to maintaining the academic community’s trust in the process and ensuring that the stages already completed are followed up,” Sri L. Wahyuningroem said in an interview on Oct. 30.
She explained that the election committee and the Senate had carried out the candidate nomination and screening stages in accordance with the applicable rector election regulations. All stages had been scheduled and conducted in an orderly, timely manner and in compliance with the rules.
However, the process, which began in April 2026, was not followed by the joint election with the minister, who holds 35 percent of the voting rights, even though interviews with the minister had already taken place. The failure to hold the election jointly with the minister meant that no permanent rector was appointed before the incumbent’s term ended.
No adequate or transparent explanation has been provided for the postponement of the rector election.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
