“If the quality of human resources, facilities, and educational standards improves, the benefits will also return to the students. It is a mutually reinforcing cycle.” drg. Heribertus Dedy Kusuma Yulianto, M.Biotech., Ph.D.
Amid the evolving dynamics of higher education, the spirit of collaboration has once again been emphasized as a fundamental foundation. This was reaffirmed by drg. Dedy, as he is commonly known, who was inaugurated on 8 April 2026 as the new Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources at FKG UGM.
In a warm and reflective interview, drg. Dedy emphasized that institutional success is not the result of individual efforts, but rather the outcome of collective competence. “The main keyword I uphold is teamwork and collaboration. Without them, it is difficult for us to move forward,” he stated.
Serving Education, Not Merely Managing
Drawing from his previous experience as one of the leaders at the UGM Dental Hospital, drg. Dedy understands that although the work context may differ, the underlying principle remains the same: service.
If hospitals focus on patients, faculties focus on students. “Students are our primary stakeholders. Our duty is to ensure that they receive the best educational services,” he explained.
The division he leads serves as the managerial backbone of FKG UGM, from ensuring the availability and capability of competent human resources, to optimizing asset management and maintaining accountable financial systems. All these efforts ultimately aim to establish FKG UGM as a collaborative and accountable faculty.
Continuous Improvement
Rather than becoming complacent with existing achievements, drg. Dedy stressed the importance of continuous performance improvement. This principle aligns with the quality culture long upheld at Universitas Gadjah Mada.
“If this year’s targets have been achieved, then next year they must be improved. We should not stop at the same level,” he asserted. This mission is well grounded. In 2025, several study programs at FKG achieved international accreditation, a milestone that serves as a stepping stone toward greater global recognition.
IUP: A Gateway to the International World
One of the strategic initiatives currently being developed is the International Undergraduate Program (IUP). According to drg. Dedy, the program is not merely an international label, but a gateway to global networks.
“The IUP is a bridge. Through it, we open opportunities for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and comprehensive quality improvement,” he explained.
He also dismissed the notion that the program is solely oriented toward increasing revenue . According to him, financial benefits are merely a secondary effect of improving the substantive quality of FKG UGM.
“If the quality of human resources, facilities, and educational standards improves, the benefits will also return to the students. It is a mutually reinforcing cycle.”
Competition or Collaboration?
Amid the growing number of dental education institutions in Yogyakarta and surrounding areas, questions regarding competition naturally arise. However, drg. Dedy views the phenomenon from a different perspective, seeing it instead as an opportunity for collaboration.
“The demand for specialist dentists in Indonesia remains high. Therefore, this is not a threat, but an opportunity to share resources, networks, and even collaborative programs,” he explained.
For him, the value of an institution is not measured solely by profit, but also by non-financial contributions such as partnerships and societal impact.
A Simple Yet Meaningful Message
At the end of the interview, drg. Dedy delivered a simple but meaningful message:
“We can progress together if we work together. We can grow if we collaborate.”
The message was more than mere rhetoric; it reflected a style of leadership that places togetherness above ego and collective progress above personal interests.
Amid the challenges of globalization and educational competition, such an approach offers renewed hope—that progress does not have to be achieved alone, but can instead be reached collectively.
(Editorial Team: Andri Wicaksono, S.Sos., M.I.Kom | Photos: Andri & UGM Public Relations Archives)
