The Forum of Internal Audit Unit (SPI) of Legal Entity State Universities (PTNBH) held a National Working Meeting (Rakernas) at Universitas Terbuka (UT) Denpasar, located on Jalan Sesetan, Denpasar, Bali. The event took place over three days, from July 28 to 30, 2024, and was attended by 21 heads of SPI from 21 PTNBH across Indonesia. During the opening ceremony and welcome dinner, UT Rector Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., was present to welcome the participants.
Prof. Ojat explained that UT had achieved PTNBH status since October 2022. Through this Rakernas, UT had the opportunity to share insights and best practices in financial governance with other more advanced universities. Financial management at UT is monitored by internal and external bodies, including the Inspectorate, the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP RI), and international forums, to ensure high accountability.
The Head of the SPI PTNBH Forum, Prof. Dr. Memed Sueb, S.E., M.S., Ak., stated that the main goal of this meeting was to improve financial governance and accountability in PTNBH. Considering that PTNBH have autonomy in fund management, they need to be accountable for the use of these funds. Prof. Memed emphasized that with this autonomy, PTNBH has the potential to become world-class universities.
The Rakernas also featured various presentations, such as about the Single Tuition Fee (UKT) and community fundraising, delivered by the Head of SPI ITB Hendra Gunawan and Head of Pusrenpor UT Bambang Hariyanto. Hendra Gunawan explained that this meeting aimed to share insights so that best practices could be implemented at each PTNBH, with the hope that all universities could advance together.
In his interview, Hendra Gunawan also highlighted the importance of SPI’s role in overseeing and ensuring that university activities align with applicable guidelines and regulations. SPI strives to identify areas that are not yet optimal and communicate them to the audited units, aiming to improve and enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of university expenditures.
Prof. Memed hoped that this Rakernas would strengthen relationships and provide significant benefits for UT as a new PTNBH member, as well as assist other universities in enhancing professional, transparent, and accountable governance.
Additionally, there were sessions on auditor positions and the main role of their development as professional roles. Auditors, who are the backbone of internal oversight at PTNBH, must be considered an investment to be managed from the planning process of procurement, training, certification, to career advancement.
