Depok – Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) hosted the 5th National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the State Universities with Legal Entity Status (PTN-BH) Protocol Forum. Held on November 5, 2026 at the UIII campus, the event carried the theme “Toward an Excellent and Impactful Institutional Reputation” and was attended by 19 PTN-BH from across Indonesia.

PTN-BH are the state universities granted broader autonomy in managing their academic affairs, finances, and organization. Besides UIII as the host, the event was attended by Universitas Indonesia. Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Universitas Hasanuddin, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Andalas, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Terbuka, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Udayana, dan Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha.

The meeting was officially opened by UIII Secretary Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim. Before the opening, the Chair of the PTN-BH Protocol Forum, Finda Salsabila, M.A., of Universitas Indonesia, delivered a report on the forum’s progress.

In the first session, participants heard a presentation by Muhammad Arifin Habibillah, Head of the Protocol Work Team at the Bureau of General Affairs, Public Relations, and Procurement, Secretariat General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek). He spoke on “Implementing Ministerial Regulation No. 8 of 2026 in Protocol Practice at Higher Education Institutions,” which serves as a reference for protocol practitioners in aligning their campuses’ protocol procedures with the latest regulation.

The second session was a discussion themed “Protocol in Crisis – When Protocol Meets Crisis: Decision Making Under Pressure.” It was led by Jack Haryanto of UGM, Sri Sunarmi, S.Sos., M.M., of UB, and Dr. Andi Tenri Harahap, B.A. (Hons)., M.M., CWM, of Unhas. The session explored how protocol can keep functioning, and how sound decisions can still be made, when an institution faces crisis and pressure.

As the first international Islamic university in Indonesia, UIII is still not widely known among other higher education institutions, including fellow PTN-BH. The organizers therefore used the hosting role to introduce the campus through profile video, souvenir package, and a welcome address by the University Secretary. According to UIII Head of Administrative and Protocol Division, Imansari Ujianty, S.Sos., the results met expectations.

“Many expressed their admiration and interest in UIII. Even as a newly established PTN-BH and the only one under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, UIII is regarded as able to stand on equal footing with other campuses, and it can inspire and motivate other universities in their institutional development,” she said.

Imansari also pointed to a challenge often faced by other universities’ protocol offices when receiving foreign guests. At UIII, this is not a major obstacle, as its leaders, lecturers, and academic community actively use English and Arabic. “One of the future agendas for PTN-BH protocol is collaboration to build protocol capacity. UIII can contribute to and facilitate such training and human resource development,” she said.

With the successful holding of this 5th Rakernas, the PTN-BH Protocol Forum hopes to continue strengthening its network, improving protocol professionalism, and supporting the reputation of each institution.