Advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Universitas Andalas Inaugurates Five Engineering Professors to Strengthen Academic Excellence and Innovation

Padang, June 26, 2025 — Universitas Andalas continues to reinforce its commitment to quality education and innovation in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by inaugurating five new full professors from the Faculty of Engineering. The ceremony was held at the Convention Hall, Limau Manis Campus.

The five professors come from three departments: Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Civil Engineering. They are Dr. Eng. Ir. Jon Affi, S.T., M.T. in Surface Engineering of Materials, Dedison Gasni, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. in Tribology, Henmaidi, S.T., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. in Industrial Management, Ir. Taufika Ophiyandri, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. in Post-Disaster Construction Management, and Dr. Ir. Is Prima Nanda, M.T., IPU, ASEAN Eng. in Metal Casting Engineering. The symbolic conferment was conducted by the Chair of the Professorial Board, Prof. apt. Marlina, Ph.D., accompanied by Rector Efa Yonnedi, Ph.D.

In his remarks, Rector Efa Yonnedi emphasized the strategic importance of professorships in advancing higher education. “Professors are not only expected to be productive in publications and research but also to act as agents of change amid national dynamics,” he stated. He further added, “This milestone reinforces the role of higher education institutions not only in producing graduates and publications, but also in providing real solutions to societal challenges through science and innovation.”

Through a quadruple helix approach involving academia, government, industry, and society, Universitas Andalas continues to build a sustainable collaborative ecosystem that supports innovation and development.

On the same occasion, the Chair of the Professorial Board noted that Universitas Andalas now has a total of 210 professors, with 32 from the Faculty of Engineering. He expressed hope that this inauguration would inspire more lecturers to pursue the highest academic rank as a contribution to scientific advancement and national development.

The inauguration of these five new professors further enriches the academic landscape of Universitas Andalas. This achievement is expected to contribute to knowledge advancement, strengthen the role of higher education in national development, and enhance the university’s impact in delivering quality education and innovative solutions for society.