UGM campus Jakarta is established to provide contributions to the University development that are oriented to produce knowledgeable experts. With the principles of Lifelong Learning, UGM campus Jakarta is expected to develop and apply science for refinement, utility and happiness, as stated in the document of UGM values, particularly to serve the interests and prosperity of the nation, as stated in the Vision of UGM. This was conveyed by the Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D, in the soft opening of UGM campus Jakarta on Sunday, August 1, 2010, in Jakarta. The soft opening was conducted by the Deputy Minister of National Education, Prof. Fasli Djalal, Ph.D.
The UGM campus Jakarta stands on 6300 m2 area of land, with 18.688 m2 size of building. The campus located at Jl. Dr. Sahardjo 83, Tebet, South Jakarta consists of two blocks, namely Academic Building and Academic Support Building. Academic Building consists of nine floors, equipped with 35 classrooms, 18 discussion rooms, 10 administration rooms, auditorium, and an LPPM UGM representative office; while the Academic Support Building consists of five floors, and is utilized for, among other things, libraries, restaurants, and banks. "The investment for this campus is IDR 180 billion and the entire development process is completed within 11 months", said Dr. Hargo Utomo, MBA., Director of PT. UGM-Samator Pendidikan that built this campus. "All who use the building are subject to a professional rental rate, and this time, the anchor tenants are Master of Management study program, which has got an operating permit from the national ministry of education, and LPPM UGM. The other tenants are Master of Law study program, Masters in Development Economics study program and Bank Mandiri. Meanwhile, those who have indicated their interest are the Master in Health Science study program and Master of Accounting study program," Hargo Utomo added.
The soft opening was attended by members of Board of Trustees, Academic Senate, Council of Professors, Unversity leadership as well as University Units, Deans, Graduate School Director, donors, KAGAMA, and the UGM partners.
To the audience, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, MBA explained that the UGM campus Jakarta is one evidence of successful autonomy implementation that is provided by the Government. With the autonomy, along with transparency and accountability, the quality that is continuously developed has made UGM in the world ranking university. "The world ranking has made UGM very popular and desirable, including for the Jakarta residents and its surrounding community. These, among others, have encouraged UGM to have a representatitve campus in Jakarta ", added the former Education Minister who is also co-founder of the UGM Masters Management program.”The grant of the autonomy, especially to colleges that have well developed, actually has been initiated by the (late) Prof. Dr. Sukadji Ranuwihardjo, MA., while Director General for Higher Education (1981-1994), Prof. Sukadji, by then had begun to provide greater flexibility to specific program courses, which later in the year 2000, the Government intensified it by giving autonomy to some colleges. Thus, autonomy has led to great successes. Without the autonomy, it is impossible for them to empower themselves in such a way," he added.
Meanwhile, in his opening speech, Vice Minister of Education, Prof. Fasli Djalal, Ph.D,. states that after the Education Legal Entity(BHP) Act is annulled by the Constitutional Court, the National Education Ministry is trying to lobby the Ministry of Finance to provide financial management autonomy to the universities, as happened during the era of the State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN). "We continue to advocate during the transition period (at the present up to the issuance of new government regulations) of three years. During this period, universities do not need to change anything; and during that period also the National Education Ministry will continue to fight for maximum flexibility", he added.