Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) consistently upholds the principle of public participation in university governance. This commitment is reflected in the appointment process of the Board of Trustees (Majelis Wali Amanat/MWA) for the 2022–2027 period, conducted in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia No. 74280/MPK.A/KP.08.06/2022.
The UNNES Board of Trustees comprises 17 members who inclusively and proportionally represent various stakeholder groups, including representatives from the Ministry, the Rector, the Chair of the Academic Senate, and elements of society, alumni, faculty, education staff, and students. This inclusive composition ensures that university governance reflects the principles of representation, transparency, and collaboration in strategic decision-making processes.
As a multi-stakeholder governance body, the MWA oversees non-academic institutional affairs and ensures accountability and integrity within the university’s governance system. Through the MWA, UNNES guarantees that institutional policies and strategies are formulated through a transparent and representative process involving both internal and external stakeholders.
To further strengthen participatory governance, UNNES issued the Rector’s Circular Letter No. B/28481/UN37/PK.02.00/2024, which outlines internal policies and procedures for the involvement of local stakeholders in university planning, implementation, and evaluation processes. This policy serves as a formal mechanism ensuring that every strategic decision and program at UNNES is developed with consideration for community aspirations and aligned with sustainable stakeholder engagement principles.
Complementing this regulatory framework, UNNES has also established the Campus Community Forum (Forum Masyarakat Lingkar Kampus) as an open and constructive platform for dialogue between university leaders and surrounding communities. Through this forum, local residents, local government, and civil society representatives can actively provide input, suggestions, and recommendations related to institutional development, academic activities, and the university’s social contributions to its surrounding environment.
Strengthening Participatory University Governance through Local Community Engagement
Beyond formal governance structures, UNNES promotes meaningful participation of local stakeholders through direct dialogue and consultation with surrounding communities. This commitment was demonstrated through the Campus Community Dialogue (Sarasehan Masyarakat Lingkar Kampus) held on 28 June 2016, which brought together university leaders, local government representatives, and community members in Gunungpati. The forum provided an opportunity for local stakeholders to express their aspirations, concerns, and recommendations regarding university development and its impact on surrounding communities.
During the meeting, the Rector emphasized that community feedback, including suggestions, criticisms, and expectations, would serve as an important consideration in university policymaking. The Head of Gunungpati District also acknowledged UNNES’s positive contribution to local economic development. This initiative illustrates how UNNES complements its institutional governance mechanisms with community consultation, ensuring that local perspectives inform university policies and strategic decisions.
Strengthening Community Engagement through Collaborative Public Health Initiatives
UNNES further demonstrates its commitment to local stakeholder engagement through community-based initiatives that respond to the needs of surrounding residents. On 27 March 2020, UNNES distributed independently produced hand sanitizers and face masks to local communities, including members of the Al Madinah Islamic Study Group led by a local religious leader. The initiative received positive feedback from community representatives, who expressed appreciation and encouraged the university to expand its support. This engagement reflects UNNES’s efforts to maintain constructive relationships with local residents and civil society representatives, incorporating community feedback into its outreach activities and strengthening collaboration between the university and surrounding communities.
Strengthening Inclusive University Governance through Dialogue with Local Stakeholders
Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) strengthens participatory governance by actively engaging local stakeholders in dialogue and consultation processes. On October 23, 2024, UNNES organized a Community Dialogue and Gathering (Sambung Rasa dan Silaturahmi), bringing together university leaders, local government officials, community representatives, religious leaders, and law enforcement authorities. The forum provided an inclusive platform for local stakeholders to express their concerns, suggestions, and recommendations regarding university development and community-related issues. During the meeting, UNNES Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Nur Qudus emphasized the importance of community participation and welcomed stakeholder input to support institutional improvement and strengthen university-community relations.
The discussions addressed various issues, including student welfare, public safety, traffic management, student conduct, and community well-being. Representatives from local government and civil society organizations actively shared their perspectives, enabling university leaders to consider community needs when planning institutional programs and collaborative solutions. This initiative complements UNNES’s formal governance mechanisms, including the Board of Trustees (MWA), Rector’s Circular Letter on stakeholder participation, and the Campus Community Forum. Through direct consultation and ongoing collaboration, UNNES provides meaningful opportunities for local stakeholders to contribute to institutional planning, policy discussions, and university development, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance.
Promoting Inclusive Governance through Focus Group Discussions with Local Communities
Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) strengthens community participation through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving local stakeholders as part of its commitment to inclusive and collaborative governance. On June 12, 2017, UNNES organized an FGD themed “Strengthening UNNES’s Reputation as a Conservation-Oriented University through Harmonization with Surrounding Communities,” bringing together university leaders, local community representatives, religious leaders, and local security authorities, including representatives from the Gunungpati Military and Police. During the discussion, Rector Prof. Dr. Fathur Rokhman emphasized the essential role of surrounding communities in supporting the university’s vision, mission, and institutional development. The forum provided a space for direct communication between university leadership and local stakeholders, encouraging shared responsibility for campus development, environmental preservation, and community well-being. This initiative complements UNNES’s broader participatory governance framework, including the Board of Trustees (MWA) and Campus Community Forum, by demonstrating the university’s established practice of engaging local stakeholders in institutional dialogue and consultation.
