Did UI Assign a Student to Join VP Gibran’s Working Visit?

Did UI Assign a Student to Join VP Gibran’s Working Visit?

Did UI Assign a Student to Join – Jakarta, June 19, 2026 – The University of Indonesia (UI) clarified that it has not officially received any request from the Vice President’s Secretariat for students to participate in Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s working visit. This comes after Daffa Ulhaq, a humanities faculty student, was seen accompanying Gibran during a regional tour on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

UI Rector Addresses Participation Claims

UI’s rector, Heri Hermansyah, stated that the university did not appoint or formally assign Daffa to join the event. Internal reviews confirmed no official communication from the Vice President’s Secretariat was received. “The process of selecting participants lies outside the university’s authority, so it is more appropriate to confirm this with the Vice President’s Secretariat,” Heri explained when contacted on Friday, June 19, 2026.

The rector highlighted UI’s stance on student autonomy, noting that the university respects the right of students to engage in external activities as independent citizens. However, he added that student involvement in government initiatives should align with academic programs to ensure institutional support.

Student Involvement in Regional Inspections

Earlier in the week, Gibran had invited five students from diverse universities to join his inspection trip to Ende, Gorontalo, and parts of Papua from June 18 to 21, 2026. These students were part of a broader effort to monitor government programs, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative and the Red and White Village Cooperatives.

Among the participants were Keletus Sakaro from Sanata Dharma University, Nolan Christopher Adam from Pelita Harapan University, and Salsabila Maulida from the Indonesian Institute of Arts and Culture. A fifth student represented another institution, though their name was not disclosed.

“I extend my gratitude to all fellow students who have expressed their aspirations peacefully. Thank you for the constructive input,” Gibran stated in a written statement on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Gibran emphasized that involving students aids in ensuring the transparent and accountable execution of government programs. He aimed to foster closer collaboration between the administration and youth in evaluating key initiatives. According to him, this approach helps align policy implementation with public feedback and student perspectives.

Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to this article. Read more: Why Did VP Gibran Invite 5 Students on His Eastern Indonesia Tour? | Subscribe to Tempo on Google News