THE EDITOR – Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Rector Professor Ova Emilia UGM Rector said that Gadjah Mada University carries out its function as an educational institution with integrity. This includes the awarding of academic degrees.
“That is what we call integrity, and that is very important,” she told The Editor on the sidelines of the Kagama XIV National Conference that took place on Saturday (16/11) at the Mercure Convention Centre Ancol Hotel, Jakarta.
However, according to her, not all academic degrees are obtained formally in university. Some people in the world have even been honored by the government for their high quality work.
How Is It?
One of the academic degrees that can be obtained without having formal education in university is Honoris Clausa (H.C.). This title is given to someone who is considered to have contributed or made extraordinary works for science and mankind.
In addition, this title can also be given to those who are not part of the educational field such as lecturers, deans, or rectors. This kind of title, Professor Eva said, can not be put for sale.
“But some people, in my opinion, are sometimes too quick to judge. Look at me, for example, my background is a doctor but I have a background up to doctorate in medical education and I understand that,” she said.
“The point is, Indonesians can now appreciate, for example, people’s experiences or people’s work even though they are not lecturers and not people who go to formal school, it is actually educationally valid. It depends on the system – but let’s not put our focus on those who allegedly ‘buy’ the title,” she continued.
Professor Ova said that UGM as a heterogeneous university has very strict rules in granting such titles to the community.
She herself thinks that the rules that have been in place for decades, since 19 December 1949, are very strict and tend to lead her to disagree.
However, in the process of testing a theory from students, Professor Ova believes UGM will conduct a very high selection as it is part of the university culture itself.
“The universities and UGM as part of it are indeed very heterogeneous and strong in balancing these things. Sometimes even too strong, too strict,” Professor Ova said with a smile.
However, she assessed that the very strict rules and selection are valid because it is also very difficult to be part of UGM and study there.
Thus, cases of unintentional awarding of degrees or outside the rules of selection and unnatural judgment are very unlikely to occur.
“I sometimes disagree. It’s already very difficult for people to be part of us, but it’s also very strict inside. But it’s okay,” she concluded before letting out a chuckle.
