Mataram, University of Mataram – University of Mataram (Unram) held a Socialization of the Academic Integrity Committee (KIA) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Senate Conference Room of the Unram Rectorate. The event was attended by university leaders, professors, faculty leaders, and invited lecturer representatives from various faculties.

This socialization aims to increase understanding of academic integrity, including the authenticity of scientific work, research ethics, and obedience to academic regulations.

Unram Rector, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., in his speech emphasized that the existence of KIA is a strategic step in strengthening an academic culture of dignity and high integrity on campus.

“Becoming a professor, head of study program, or director is not just an administrative process. It is a representation of increasing the capacity and capability of a lecturer,” said the Rector.

He added that increasing the number of professors and highly qualified teaching staff is a key indicator in strengthening the university’s reputation at the national and international levels.

The Rector also conveyed that commitment to academic integrity is one of the aspects assessed in the institutional accreditation process that will be carried out in the near future.

“From May 14 to 16, Unram will receive a visit from field assessors for institutional accreditation. This is an important momentum that we must prepare together,” he said.

On the occasion, Prof. Bambang explained the challenges of financing higher education, especially with the increasing number of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Currently, more than 46% of Unram students are from families with disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a big challenge for us to continue to provide the best educational services with a limited budget,” said Prof. Bambang.

However, Unram has managed to show outstanding performance in budget management. In recent years, Unram has achieved national achievements in the best budgets performance category, including the third national rank in the category of new work universities.

“From BOPTN, which was originally only Rp17 billion in 2022, we have now received much greater trust from the government,” he added.

As part of the activity, three main materials were also delivered to enrich participants’ understanding of strengthening academic quality. The first material regarding Development Services and Professional and Career Development of Lecturers was delivered by Unram’s Vice Rector II, Prof. Dr. Sukardi, M.Pd.

Furthermore, the Head of the Unram KIA Team, Prof. Ir. Yusuf Akhyar Sutaryono, Ph.D., presented material on the Proposed Professor and Head Lecturer: Issues and Discoveries of Requirements for Lecturer Functional Position Increase. The third material regarding the Update on the Elements of Lecturer Academic Position Assessment was presented by the Secretary of the Unram KIA Team, Prof. Ir. Buan Anshari, ST, M.Sc. (Eng), Ph.D..

This activity was closed with Prof. Bambang’s invitation to all academicians to continue to maintain integrity, improve performance, and establish the Academic Integrity Committee as a strategic partner in maintaining the dignity of the institution.

“This is not just a matter of procedural compliance, but our moral responsibility as academicians,” he concluded.