JAKARTA - The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) confirmed that the alleged manipulation (fraud) of research in an international conference that dragged one of its alumni at the master's level, Prihantini, was entirely a legal action as an individual and was not related to the academic activities of the institution.
Prihantini is known as an alumnus of the Master of Mathematics Program of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) ITB 2020 batch who has completed his studies in 2022.
The Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of ITB, Aep Patah, clarified that the material presented by the person concerned in a scientific conference for pneumonia experts around the world, ISPPD, in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 17-21, was not related to the thesis or academic activities at ITB.
Prihantini's thesis while studying for a Master's degree at ITB was entitled "Analytical Study of Water Waves Caused by Landslides on a Sloping Beach".
"ITB considers the action of Sister Prihatini to be a legal action as an individual. Thus, if there is a legal process for this action, ITB respects the legal efforts in question," said Aep in his statement as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 28.
Aep said the oldest technical university in Indonesia had tightened the standardization of supervision of scientific works to protect the university's reputation in the international arena.
The rectorate guarantees that the entire educational ecosystem in the campus environment continues to run on the corridor of scientific honesty, while asking the public to be objective in separating the personal realm of alumni from the institutional integrity of ITB.
ITB emphasizes its commitment to continue strengthening the academic culture, especially in the field of research that is integral and responsible. ITB does not tolerate plagiarism, data fabrication, manipulation of results, or other forms of scientific ethical violations in academic and research activities.
Previously, the alleged falsification of research went viral after a lecturer and researcher from the Department of Marine Sciences at Udayana University, Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika and Wa Ode Dwi Daningrat, made a post on the social media Thread on Monday (25/5). The two were also present at the scientific conference in Denmark.
In Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika's post, it was mentioned that the alleged falsification of the research was revealed during a scientific conference for pneumonia experts from around the world, ISPPD, in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 17-21.
In the conference there were groups of Indonesian researchers who seemed to have produced extraordinary findings. The researchers include Prihatini, Rifaldy Fajar, and Rini Winarti.
However, after being investigated, the group of researchers was suspected of having attended a conference with false research results. It is suspected that this action is a modus operandi for the alleged perpetrators to obtain grant funds in scientific conferences.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Diktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto said that the government also monitored the alleged falsification of research conducted by Indonesian researchers at a scientific conference for pneumonia experts in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Brian said that the three of them were not listed as lecturers at the domestic campus.
"Based on the initial information we have received, the parties mentioned in this case are not indicated as lecturers or active researchers at Indonesian universities," said Brian.
However, he emphasized that the issue remained a concern for the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Industry because it could affect the perception of the wider national research ecosystem.
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