Inaugurating Six Permanent Professors, the Rector Hopes They Will Contribute to Improving the Quality of Education at Udayana University

Udayana University held an Inauguration Ceremony for Permanent Professors at the Widya Sabha Auditorium, Jimbaran Campus, on Saturday (August 16, 2025). A total of six Permanent Professors were inaugurated by the Rector of Udayana University. They include two professors from the Faculty of Medicine, and one each from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science, and Faculty of Law.

The six professors inaugurated were (1) Prof. Dr. dr. Desak Made Wihandani, M.Kes., Professor in the field of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine. Her inaugural speech was titled "Unveiling the Role of Genetic Polymorphisms Towards Precision Medicine.", (2) Prof. Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Tirta Ariana, MS., IPU., ASEAN. Eng., Professor in the field of Meat and Draft Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science. His inaugural speech was titled "Performance and Increasing Income Over Cost of Local Pigs and Poultry through the Use of By-Products from Closed House Broiler Farming Systems.", (3) Prof. I Nyoman Aryawibawa, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., Professor in the field of Psycholinguistics, Faculty of Cultural Sciences. His inaugural speech was titled "Language: Universal or Relative?", (4) Prof. Dr. dr. I Gede Eka Wiratnaya, Sp.OT (K), Professor in the field of Orthopedic Oncology, Faculty of Medicine. His speech was titled "Innovative Development in Post-Tumor Bone Surgery Reconstruction.", (5) Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Gede Manuaba, ST., MT., IPU, Professor in the field of Electrical Technology, Faculty of Engineering. His inaugural address was titled "Technological Innovations to Improve the Stability of Electric Power Systems." and (6) Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ayu Putri Kartika, S.H., M.H, Professor in the field of Environmental Law, Faculty of Law. Her speech was titled "Reconstructing Paradigms and Legal Instruments in Environmental Law in the Era of Deregulation and Sustainable Development."

In his remarks, the Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, ST., Ph.D., stated that these six new professors would automatically increase the number of experts at Udayana University whose academic capabilities have been proven. The growing number of professors at Udayana is expected to support the improvement of the quality of higher education at the university. This, in turn, contributes to the realization of Udayana University's vision: Excellent, Independent, and Cultured.

With the addition of these six professors, the total number of professors at Udayana University now stands at 246.

“I believe this number will continue to grow in the future,” the Rector added. “This optimism is supported by HR data showing that, out of 1,536 lecturers, 230 hold doctoral degrees with the rank of Associate Professor (15%), and 236 hold the rank of Lecturer (15.40%). The high percentage of Associate Professors indicates a strong potential for increasing the number of full Professors at Udayana University. Hopefully, today's inauguration will inspire other academics to pursue the title of Professor.”

The Rector further emphasized that being a Professor essentially means becoming a teacher, educator, and researcher whose work is awaited by the wider community as part of public service. The contributions of the six newly inaugurated Professors will be anticipated to bring greater benefits to Udayana University and society. After this ceremony, the new Professors will join the Udayana University Professors' Forum, a platform for Professors to provide suggestions, input, and ideas for the future development of the university.

He also expressed hope that with the increasing number of qualified human resources at the university, Udayana will enhance its competitiveness both nationally and internationally and support the transformation from a Public Service Agency (PTN-BLU) to a Legal Entity State University (PTN-BH).

Representing the Professors' Forum, Prof. Dr. drh. Nyoman Sadra Dharmawan, MS, Secretary of the Forum, congratulated the newly inaugurated Professors. He noted that this highest academic title is the result of dedication, commitment, and long-standing hard work, supported by their beloved families.

He highlighted that the inauguration of a Professor is both an extraordinary recognition and a testament to one’s academic achievements and intellectual leadership in their respective disciplines. He invited all Professors to continue producing innovations and making real contributions through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education education, research, and community service and to stay active in contributing to the progress of higher education, community development, and the betterment of the nation.