KUPANG - A total of 20 representatives of graduates from the June and September 2023 periods held an audience with the Rector of Nusa Cendana University (Undana), Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc, accompanied by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Annytha I. R. Detha, M.Si, and the Vice Rector for General Affairs and Finance, Dr. Paul G. Tamelan, M.Si. The meeting took place at the Theater Room of the Undana Rectorate on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023.
Their presence represented dozens of alumni who had previously intended to stage a demonstration in front of the Undana Rectorate Building. In front of the Undana Rector, the alumni representatives requested Undana to issue new diplomas with the correct accreditation numbers, rejected the Certificate of Graduation Replacement (SKPI) for the June and September 2023 periods. They also opposed the inaccuracies in the dates on the diplomas for the June and September 2023 graduation periods and requested the Undana Rector to evaluate the performance of the academic department at Undana.
In response, Rector Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc, emphasized that the diplomas that have already been issued cannot be reprinted or duplicated. While there may be errors in the inclusion of the SK (accreditation) numbers, the Rector stated that, in substance, the diplomas are valid and legally acceptable for use. Prof. Maxs mentioned that Undana is a campus that works exceptionally to provide diplomas directly to graduates at the time of their graduation.
This is different from most other university alumni, who only receive empty folders, so the Rector admitted that as a human, no one is perfect. "We acknowledge that there were errors in the diplomas of thousands of students in the June-September 2023 period. On behalf of our university, I apologize for these mistakes. No one is perfect," he said.
He mentioned that based on common practice, the university typically does not issue new diplomas, and in this case, Undana will only provide a certificate regarding the error in the accreditation number. Regarding the SKPI, Prof. Maxs mentioned that it only applies to diplomas that are declared damaged, lost, or destroyed.
This is supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation (Permendikbudristek) Number 6 of 2022, Article 17, which states: (1) The Certificate of Replacement is a recognition document considered equivalent to a Diploma, Academic Transcript, SKPI (Certificate of Graduation Replacement), Competency Certificate, or Professional Certificate. (2) The Certificate of Replacement as referred to in paragraph (1) may be issued if the Diploma, Academic Transcript, SKPI, Professional Certificate, or Competency Certificate is damaged, lost, or destroyed, as evidenced by a written statement from the police. (3) The Certificate of Replacement as referred to in paragraph (1) shall be issued by the higher education institution at the request of the owner of the Diploma, Academic Transcript, SKPI, Competency Certificate, or Professional Certificate.
Therefore, the university will issue a certificate regarding the typographical error in the institution's accreditation number, not SKPI. The Rector added that the error in writing the Undana accreditation number on the diplomas of thousands of graduates is not substantial because the accreditation status of Undana can be accessed online through the BANPT (National Accreditation Board for Higher Education) link. "The error is not substantial; Undana's accreditation status can be accessed online through the BANPT link. What's important in a diploma is that the name of the diploma holder, student ID number (NIM), and the diploma's PIN number are correct," he emphasized.
Regarding the demand concerning the writing of the accreditation number, the Rector explained that the accreditation number and date of the accreditation document are generated before the graduation ceremony. This means that the date of the determination of graduates in the accreditation document precedes the actual graduation date, and therefore, it does not need to be questioned.
Lastly, regarding the demand for a comprehensive evaluation, the Rector disclosed that through the Vice Rector for General Affairs and Finance, they will conduct an internal examination and issue an Examination Report (Berita Acara Pemeriksaan - BAP).
Interestingly, Prof. Maxs Sanam also admitted that his daughter, Viona Mariana Dewi Sanam, is also a graduate from the September 2023 period. Viona is an alumna of the Veterinary Medicine program at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKKH) at Undana. However, Prof. Maxs firmly stated that he cannot reprint his daughter's diploma. According to him, doing so would be a violation of academic and legal regulations.
The Consequences of Provocation
According to Prof. Maxs, the actions taken by thousands of alumni are merely the aftermath of provocation by certain individuals. "This is like a wild ball that is continuously provoked by certain parties. We have already explained this to some alumni, both on campus and through my inbox, as well as through media coverage," he explained.
During that occasion, Prof. Maxs repeatedly used the analogy that the issue was like a pimple that appears on our body but is treated as if it were leprosy. He emphasized that people can talk about the failures of the Rector, but Undana is not a failed university. He urged everyone to collectively uphold the image and reputation of Undana. (rfl)
