Rina Breaks Gender Discrimination as the First Female Chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran

Bandung, West Java – Women’s participation in organizations and decision-making is a wise step to overcome discrimination against women as these efforts are believed to open up opportunities for women to become leaders. On one hand, these efforts also provide a platform for women to express their aspirations, ideas, and ideas more effectively.

The Universitas Padjadjaran chancellor election (Pilrek) is one of the concrete manifestations of realizing women’s non-discrimination efforts. Rina Indiastuti was elected as the chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran for the 2019-2024 period in the election on Sunday (6/10). The fact that Rina was elected as the first female chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran is a special point.

The selection and election process of the Chancellor was carried out carefully with a long process. In this case, Rina was elected through an acclamation process by the Unpad Board of Trustees (MWA) in a plenary session of the MWA on the Unpad Campus, Jl. Dipati Ukur No. 35. The agreement to elect Rina as Chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran for the 2019-2024 period was composed of several aspects considered, such as online selection, academic senate, PPATK input, behavior on social media, BNPT assessment, assessment center by Telkom to the discussion process taken on the day of the election.

“MWA chose, decided, and determined by acclamation, who became the chancellor of Unpad for the 2019-2024 period, namely Professor Rina Indiastuti. We can acclamationally elect the chancellor, whereas in other places we have to vote,” said MWA Chairman Rudiantara to reporters.

Rudiantara added that the selection process was also attended by six chancellor candidates and took place in a harmonious manner. This is demonstrated by the commitment of the six candidates to continue supporting whoever the chancellor who will be elected later.

Rudiantara hopes that the elected chancellor can leverage the programs promoted by the other candidates. He assured that the Board of Trustees would swiftly escort the elected chancellor and be ready to assist in the preparation of strategic programs.

“Of course what we tell them, make strategic programs and quick win – until the end of the year MWA will help,” said Rudiantara who is also the Minister of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia in the 2014-2019 Working Cabinet period.

Chancellor-elect Rina Indiastuti also admitted that she would provide opportunities for other chancellor candidates to participate in her cabinet.

“Surely I will look for talented candidates from their respective positions for the cabinet. It is not impossible for (five) other candidates to also enter the team,” claimed Rina.

Before being elected chancellor of Universitas Padjadjaran, the woman who earned a Doctorate in Industrial Economics at Osaka Prefecture University has been trusted as Acting Chancellor of Unpad to replace Tri Hanggono Achmad who retired in April 2019. In addition, she also served as Secretary of the Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristekdikti) in the 2017-2019 period.

Writer: Maria Imanuella Dewi Sekartaji
Translator: Dhia Anaulva Putri