Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated Air Marshal (Ret.) Donny Ermawan Taufanto as the Governor of the University of the Republic of Indonesia (URI) at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (July 22). During the same ceremony, Prof. Yos Sunitiyoso was sworn in as the University’s Vice Governor.

The appointments were made under Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 80/P of 2026 concerning the appointment of the Governor and Vice Governor of the University of the Republic of Indonesia. The ceremony began with the reading of the presidential decree, followed by the oath of office administered directly by President Prabowo Subianto.

Before assuming his new position, Donny Ermawan served as Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Defense in the Red and White Cabinet. Meanwhile, Prof. Yos Sunitiyoso previously served as Director of Downstream Research and Partnerships at the Directorate General of Research and Development under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

A retired senior officer of the Indonesian Air Force, Donny Ermawan has an extensive career in the defense sector. Prior to becoming Deputy Minister of Defense, he served as Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense and held several strategic leadership positions within the Indonesian Air Force.

His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the University of the Republic of Indonesia. Together with Vice Governor Prof. Yos Sunitiyoso, Donny is expected to strengthen institutional governance, improve the quality of higher education, and advance research and innovation in support of Indonesia’s national development.

The University of the Republic of Indonesia (URI) is a specialized government institution established to develop Indonesia’s future national leaders. On July 22, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated Donny Ermawan and Prof. Yos Sunitiyoso as the institution’s first Governor and Vice Governor at the State Palace.

URI is designed around a concept similar to France’s École Nationale d’Administration (ENA)—now known as the Institut National du Service Public (INSP)—where prospective government officials and regional leaders undergo rigorous training in public administration, technical governance, and national leadership.