Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) has secured a more strategic position in shaping academic ideas into national policy following the inauguration of ULM Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmad as Chairman of the Economics, Finance, and Monetary Working Group of the Indonesian Rectors Forum (FRI) for the 2025–2026 period.
The inauguration was led by Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Brian Yuliarto at the Ministry’s Building D in Jakarta on Monday (7/6/2026). Prof. Ahmad’s appointment is considered particularly relevant given his background as a Professor at ULM’s Faculty of Economics and Business, with extensive experience in organizational governance and resource management.
“This is an mandate as well as an honor, not only for me personally but for the entire ULM academic community. Through the Economics, Finance, and Monetary Working Group, we will push for the voices and ideas of universities to contribute to national economic policy, including strengthening regional economies and research downstream processing that delivers real benefits for society,” Prof. Ahmad said following the inauguration.
ULM’s representation at the FRI leadership level was further reinforced by the inauguration of former ULM Rector (2014–2022) Prof. Dr. H. Sutarto Hadi as a member of the FRI Advisory Board, reflecting the forum’s strong confidence in the South Kalimantan university’s capacity to contribute at the national scale.
The inauguration was followed by a National Dialogue themed “The Relevance of Higher Education as a Center of Innovation Excellence: Strengthening Synergy Between Academics, Industry, and Government,” during which university leaders and the Minister agreed that universities must transform from ivory towers into innovation centers that respond to real development challenges.
FRI Chairman for 2025–2026 Prof. Dr. Garuda Wiko affirmed the forum’s commitment to strengthening its role as a strategic partner for the government in formulating policy directions for higher education, research, and innovation. (*)
