Jimbaran – A total of 1,671 new postgraduate students at Udayana University (Unud) are being prepared to become drivers of research, innovation, and community service that deliver direct benefits to society and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This commitment was underscored during the induction ceremony for new postgraduate students for the 2026/2027 academic year, held at the Widya Sabha Auditorium on Monday (August 10, 2026).
Unud’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Ir. I Nengah Sujaya, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., stated that postgraduate education is geared toward addressing the nation’s strategic challenges through contributions in the fields of health, research, and innovation.
“Udayana University reaffirms its commitment to addressing the nation’s strategic challenges by producing a ‘golden generation’ that plays a pivotal role across various sectors,” said Prof. Sujaya.
In the health sector, students in Specialist Medical Education Programs (PPDS) and health professions are expected to support the equitable distribution of medical services, including in 3T regions (frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped areas). Meanwhile, Master’s and Doctoral students are encouraged to produce research that goes beyond mere academic output, aiming instead for work that can be utilized by the public and industry.
“We require the downstreaming of research, publication in reputable international journals, and the creation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) that deliver tangible impacts for society and industry,” he emphasized.
Udayana University Rector, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, S.T., Ph.D., asserted that postgraduate students must become producers of knowledge and innovation.
“Entering the postgraduate level means you are no longer merely consumers of knowledge, but rather producers of innovation, critical thinkers, and drivers of research,” the Rector stated.
The Rector also encouraged students to bridge their academic expertise with the needs of the community. “Leverage digital technology to produce research and community service activities that address real-world issues,” he emphasized.
Out of 1,706 applicants, 1,671 students passed the selection process and completed their re-registration. This cohort comprises 588 students in Professional Programs, 709 in Master’s programs, 187 in Doctoral programs, 174 in Specialist programs, and 13 in Sub-specialist programs. These new students hail from 31 provinces—including the 3T regions (frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped areas)—as well as from abroad, specifically Timor-Leste, Canada, and Germany.
The event proceeded with a *Stadium Generale* (general lecture) themed “Impactful Research: Scholars Amidst the Era of Disruption.” The first keynote speaker was Prof. apt. I Ketut Adnyana, Ph.D., Director of Research and Community Service at the Directorate General of Research and Development (Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology), who shared insights on impactful research and the role of scholars in navigating the era of disruption.
Subsequently, the second keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Meutya Hafid, on the topic “Digital Transformation, Data Sovereignty, and AI Ethics in Research.” This session covered national digital strategies, data infrastructure to support research, and the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) ethics for postgraduate students in the development of their research.
Through this induction ceremony and general lecture, Unud reaffirms that postgraduate education is not merely oriented toward academic achievement, but also toward the creation of knowledge, innovation, and human resources capable of delivering tangible solutions for society and supporting sustainable development.