Welcoming The New Year 2026: UMN Emphasizes Human Values and Sustainable Excellence

Group photo of UMN’s 2026 New Year celebration. (Doc. UMN)

Tangerang, (08/01/2026) – Universitas Multimedia Nusantara held a New Year celebration with UMN lecturers and employees. This event was not only aimed at strengthening UMN’s vision and mission for the future, but also at enhancing solidarity among UMN lecturers and employees. This event is held annually by the UMN Rectorate, in collaboration with the UMN Human Resources Department, for all UMN employees. 

As it enters 2026, UMN reaffirms its commitment to continuing to develop excellent, adaptive education oriented towards human values. This event provides an opportunity for UMN to continue developing excellent resources amid global challenges. The celebration was opened by the Chairman of the Multimedia Nusantara Foundation, Ir. Teddy Surianto.

Teddy opened the UMN New Year celebration. (Doc. UMN)

“The foundation shares the same principles as the Kompas Group, which are caring for others, being trustworthy and reliable, skilled in their fields, excellent, and providing good service. However, these principles still require other parameters, one of which is ‘practical humans’, a term often used by Mr. Jakob Oetama,” Teddy said.

Teddy explained that, from Mr. Jakob’s perspective, a practical person is someone who takes action. Someone who has a vision and mission, values, and main goals. For Teddy, a practical person is someone who has big dreams and is also grateful for the results they have achieved.

“We must be grateful for everything we have done so far because it is in line with the goals we want to achieve. I am very grateful that we have proven ourselves to be good at our jobs this year and have strived for success,” Teddy added.

Teddy hopes that the goals for 2026 will be achieved smoothly and joyfully. Teddy also left a message for the lecturers and employees to fill 2026 with happiness and gratitude.

“Education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also guiding our students to understand the meaning behind that knowledge. Educators have an important role in shaping the future and uplifting humanity,” Teddy concluded.

UMN Rector Dr. Andrey Andoko also attended the event and conveyed UMN’s main vision: to become a leading university, both nationally and internationally, with high competence and noble character. With this vision, it is hoped that the same mission can be achieved, namely, to educate the nation.

Andrey explained UMN’s vision and mission for 2026 (Doc. UMN)

“As a university, we have an important role in improving the quality of human resources in Indonesia so that we can have an impact and face the changes that are taking place. Various current issues and problems are close to us, starting from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability. These two issues are also major topics at UMN,” Andrey said.

According to Andrey, as AI technology advances, humans will not be replaced; instead, they must exceed AI (beyond AI). For him, humans will coexist with AI, but they must not neglect their responsibilities and ethics and must continue to hone their human skills.

“Apart from the issue of AI, I hope that lecturers and employees can implement and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, we know that SDGs are already being used in the framework of learning and research. Hopefully, in the future, we can improve the capabilities of UMN’s resources and graduates with green skills,” Andrey added.

Andrey also advised UMN lecturers and employees to continue making continuous improvements to provide relevant, adaptive, and productive education. Through this, UMN will be able to create various new and innovative advantages.

“I hope that UMN’s journey towards becoming a world-class university can be achieved, involving the UMN academic community, starting from international research, partnering with international universities, and supporting various other internationalization programs,” Andrey concluded.

The event was also enlivened by the presentation of awards to UMN lecturers who have completed their doctoral studies. In 2025, seven lecturers from their respective fields successfully continued their doctoral studies.

Appreciation for lecturers who have completed doctoral studies.  (Doc. UMN)

• Trihadi Pudiawan Erhan, S.E., M.S.E., Ph.D., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Western Australia
• Dr. Hendrico Firzandy Latupeirissa, S.T., M.Ars., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Indonesia
• Dr. Bonifacius Hendar Putranto, S.S., M.Hum., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Indonesia
• Dr. Ina Listyani Riyanto, S.Pd., M.A., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the Indonesian Institute of Arts, Surakarta
• Fransiscus Xaverius Lilik Dwi Mardjianto, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Canberra
• Dr. Nabila Husna Shabrina, S.T., M.T., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Indonesia
• Bharoto Yekti, S.Ds., M.A., Ph.D., Graduated from the Doctoral Program at the University of Glasgow

In addition, awards were given to lecturers who successfully achieved the Academic Position Level (JJA) Senior Lecturer:

• Dr. Santo Fernandi Wijaya, S.Kom., M.M., Information Systems Study Program
• Angga Aditya Permana, S.Kom., M.Kom., Informatics Study Program
• Elissa Dwi Lestari, S.Sos., M.S.M., Management Study Program
• Dr. Ika Yanuarti, S.E., M.S.F., CSA., Ph.D., Management Study Program

“In my opinion, this event is exciting to be held at the beginning of the year, as it not only provides appreciation but also motivates fellow lecturers to continue their doctoral studies,” Fransiscus Xaverius Lilik Dwi Mardjianto, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Journalism Study Program who successfully completed his doctoral program at the University of Canberra, said.

Fransiscus felt supported by UMN both morally and materially, including support from the UMN rectorate, which consistently inquired about his progress, needs, and difficulties during his doctoral studies. For Fransiscus, this support was necessary to maintain his performance during his studies.

“My message to UMN lecturers is to maintain their current performance, and I hope that UMN can continue to provide support to other lecturers. Whether through doctoral study scholarships or expanding the scope of study, so that later it will not only cover Asia but also reach East Asia and Europe,” Fransiscus added.

Trihadi Pudiawan Erhan, S.E., M.S.E., Ph.D., also expressed his pride in returning to UMN after completing his doctoral studies at the University of Western Australia. Through this activity, Trihadi felt appreciated, and for him, this was a form of institutional attention to lecturers.

“UMN provided financial and non-financial support, which certainly helped my doctoral studies. During my doctoral program, I received a lot of support and motivation from the UMN family,” Trihadi added.

According to Trihadi, doctoral programs are beneficial for lecturers not only because they enhance their knowledge but also because they offer a long-term career path. For Trihadi, it takes confidence, courage, and deep commitment to get through the doctoral study process.

This appreciation is not merely an award but also motivates other lecturers to continue their advanced studies. Currently, 35 lecturers are continuing their doctoral studies through scholarships provided by UMN. This is proof of UMN’s commitment to supporting and encouraging lecturers to improve the quality of education and teaching.

By Rachel Tiffany | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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