Dr. Muhammad Fatahillah Akbar, S.H., LL.M., a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (FH UGM), served as the keynote speaker at a public discussion titled “Academic Freedom in the Legal Vortex: Reflections on the UNDIP Case”. This discussion was organized by the Suara Bulaksumur community on Thursday (June 12, 2025). The event was held in response to growing concerns regarding the criminalization of the academic community in medical education institutions, particularly following the case involving the Faculty of Medicine at Diponegoro University. Serving as moderator for this discussion was Dr. dr. Darwito, S.H., Sp.B.(K)Onk, Director General of the UGM Academic Hospital.
This discussion examines the impact of the Ministry of Health’s policies, which are viewed as hasty and lacking in public input, and which disrupt the balance between the educational and clinical functions of teaching hospitals. Dr. Akbar emphasized that the criminalization of faculty members and educators in an academic context threatens the autonomy of higher education institutions and undermines the quality of education and the national health system.
This forum serves as a space for reflection where academics, students, and policymakers can voice their concerns and strengthen cross-institutional solidarity in safeguarding academic freedom as a pillar of democracy and scientific progress.
This discussion also reaffirmed the commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By promoting inclusive, participatory, and harassment-free educational governance, this initiative is part of efforts to strengthen fair, transparent, and accountable institutions.
