Ichlasul Amal

Ichlasul Amal (1 August 1942 – 14 November 2024) was an Indonesian lecturer and writer. He is known as chairman of the press council and served as 11th rector of Gadjah Mada University.

Ichlasul Amal
Rector of Gadjah Mada University
In office 1998–2002
Preceded by	Soekanto Reksohadiprodjo
Succeeded by	Sofian Effendi
Personal details
Born	(1942-08-01)1 August 1942 Jember Regency, East Java, Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies
Died	14 November 2024(2024-11-14) (aged 82) Jakarta, Indonesia
Resting place	Sawitsari Cemetery
Spouse	Ery Hariati
Children	2
Alma mater	Universitas Gadjah Mada Northern Illinois University Monash University
Occupation	Lecturer writer

Early life

Amal was born on 1 August 1942 in Jember, East Java, as the youngest of the eight children to a trader family. His father was from Madura. He went to Faculty of Political Science at Gadjah Mada University majoring in international relations in 1961 and graduated in 1967. During his college year, Amal served as chairman of the Muslim Students' Association Social and Political Sciences UGM. In 1972, he continued his master education at Northern Illinois University majoring in political science and graduated in 1974. Amal earned his Ph.D. from Monash University majoring in political science in 1984.

Career

After he earned his Ph.D, Amal started his career as a lecturer at Faculty of Political Science at Gadjah Mada University. He served as Dean at Faculty of Political Science from 1988 until 1994, where he successfully strengthened academic programs and expanded the faculty's international network and made him widely known as an innovative leader who cared about the quality of education.

In 1994, Amal was appointed a professor in international relations at Gadjah Mada University where he actively taught, wrote, and contributed to the development of political science curricula in the university. In 1998, he was appointed rector of Gadjah Mada University. During his term, the university has experienced significant progress in the quality of education and strengthening of international networks, which then made the university become one of the leading universities in Indonesia.

Throughout his academic career, Amal was active in research and scientific publications, especially in the field of political science. One of his famous works is the book Politik Regional dan Pemerintah Pusat di Indonesia (1949–1979), published in 1992. This book thoroughly examines the relationship between the central and regional governments in Indonesia, and discusses the dynamics of regional politics that are important in the context of the integrity of the state. In addition, he also wrote a book entitled Metodologi Ilmu Politik (1987) which serves as a research method guide for students and academics of political science. In addition to these two books, Amal also published the work Teori-Teori Mutakhir Partai Politik (1986), which discusses the development of political party theory, a theme relevant to democracy in Indonesia. He also wrote Indonesian Foreign Policy: Its Continuity and Change (1975), which focuses on Indonesian foreign policy from the perspective of continuity and change.

Amal played a significant role in the Indonesian reform movement in 1998. As the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada at that time, he actively supported the moral actions of students who demanded change amidst the national economic and political crisis.

When many students from various universities took to the streets to voice their concerns about the condition of the nation, Amal stood at the forefront with them. He conveyed his support by giving a speech in front of the UGM Graha Sabha Pramana (GSP) Building, side by side with Hamengkubuwono X, who was the governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Amal's role in supporting the student movement was not only symbolic but also moral. As rector, he opened up space for students to voice their demands on campus. At that time, reform began to echo throughout the country with demands to end corruption, collusion, and nepotism that were the characteristics of the New Order. Amal, together with UGM students, took a firm stance in supporting the reform that was expected to bring positive change to the nation.

Apart from serving as rector, Amal also served as political observer. He served as chairman of the press council from 2003 until 2010.

Personal life and death

Amal was married to Ery Hariati until his death in November 2024. They had a son, Akmal Herawan, and a daughter, Amelin Herani.

Amal died at Pondok Indah Hospital in Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta, on 14 November 2024, at the age of 82. He was buried at Sawitsari Cemetery on the same day.

Recognition

For his dedication and contribution to the world of education, Amal received several prestigious awards. In 1992, he was awarded the 25-year Loyalty Award from the Rector of UGM, which appreciated his dedication and loyalty as a lecturer at the campus.

In addition, during his tenure as rector of UGM from 1998 to 2002, Amal received the Satya Lencana Karya Satya XXX award from the president of the Republic of Indonesia. This award is a form of recognition for his achievements in leading UGM and his contributions to the academic world at the national level.

Amal also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Monash University, Australia, as an award for his academic and professional achievements. This award confirms his international reputation and shows how much influence he has had in the field of political science.