July 25, 2025
By Dadi Darmadi
SOUTH JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 25, 2025 — In a sleek conference room at the Aston Bintaro hotel, a group of administrators from Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) gathered this week. Over two intensive days, they delved into the intricacies of ISO 31000:2018, a global standard for risk management, as part of an in-house training program designed to fortify the young university’s institutional foundations.
The event, held on July 24 and 25, marked a special moment for UIII, a nascent international university striving to establish academic excellence in Indonesia. “As a new institution, we must build a robust framework to navigate challenges effectively,” said Prof. Amsal Bakhtiar, the university’s vice rector for administration and finance, in his opening remarks. His words set the tone for a training session that blended rigorous instruction with a sense of urgency about UIII’s mission.
Led by Encep Heryani, a seasoned risk management expert from DISI Training Center, the program brought together key figures from across UIII’s leadership. Among them were Imansari Ujianty, Head of the Secretariat Office; Yanuar Firdaus Arie Wibowo, Head of IT Center; M. Yazid, Head of the Office of Student Affairs and International Services; Hatta Auliya, Head of UIII’s Organization, Human Resource and Legal Bureau; Muammar Kadafi, Head of Academic Administration; and this reporter, who serves as head of media and communications. Their presence underscored the university’s commitment to embedding risk management across all levels of its operations.
The training was more than a technical exercise. It was a response to a broader call for accountability and resilience, spurred by guidance from Indonesia’s Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. “We are aligning our practices with national expectations to strengthen our administrative systems,” said Diana Fitri Dahli, Secretary of UIII’s Internal Audit Unit, her voice carrying the weight of recent audits that have pushed the university to refine its processes.
A Framework for Resilience
Over two days, participants immersed themselves in the principles of ISO 31000:2018, a standard that provides guidelines for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in any organization. Sessions covered the interplay between risk management and quality assurance under ISO 9001:2015, as well as practical applications of the standard’s clauses. Case studies brought the concepts to life, with participants tackling hypothetical scenarios—a budget shortfall, a cybersecurity breach, a disrupted academic schedule—that mirrored the real-world challenges UIII might face.
“We’re not just learning to avoid risks but to seize opportunities that come with them,” said Chaider Bamualim, UIII’s university secretary, who emphasized the training’s role in elevating institutional governance. His words reflected a broader vision: to equip UIII’s leaders with the tools to anticipate disruptions and turn potential setbacks into strategic advantages.
For a university still in its formative years, this focus on risk management is both a necessity and a statement of ambition. Founded to bridge Islamic scholarship with global academic standards, UIII operates in a dynamic environment where financial, operational, and reputational risks loom large. The training, Mr. Heryani explained, equips administrators to “think proactively, optimize resources, and maintain the university’s commitment to excellence.”
A Broader Vision
The program’s impact extends beyond the conference room. By adopting ISO 31000:2018, UIII is positioning itself as a model for other Indonesian institutions, particularly those navigating the complexities of rapid growth in a competitive global landscape. Participants left the training with actionable strategies to integrate risk management into their daily operations, from securing funding, developing strong branding and media communication to safeguarding digital infrastructure.
“This is about building a culture of resilience,” Mr. Heryani said, as he wrapped up the final session. “A university like UIII has the potential to lead not just in education but in how institutions prepare for uncertainty.”
For UIII’s leaders, the training was a reminder of the stakes. As the university expands its programs and international partnerships, the ability to manage risks effectively will be critical to its success. “We’re laying the groundwork for a sustainable future,” Professor Bakhtiar said.
For UIII, the training was not just a moment of learning but a declaration of intent: to build an institution as resilient as it is ambitious, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. []
Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia
