Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that students affected by the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) can continue and complete their education at UGM. To ease the financial burden on affected students’ families, UGM has assisted 48 students from NTT.
The affected students are from various levels of education, including six undergraduate students, 33 master’s students, and seven doctoral students. Previously, the affected students underwent verification and validation. The assistance includes tuition fees for the Odd Semester of the 2026/2027 academic year, a monthly allowance of Rp500,000 per student for three months (August, September, and October 2026), and free lunch vouchers for August–September.
UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, said that disaster conditions should not prevent students from continuing their education. UGM is committed to standing alongside its students, particularly those facing difficult circumstances due to disasters.
“I am concerned about this situation. However, I also hope that your efforts to recover and rise again will be even stronger,” Arie said on Thursday (Oct. 1) at the UGM Central Building.
The support reflects UGM’s concern and is intended to ease the burden on students and their families. In addition to financial assistance, UGM continues to strengthen support services through coordination with faculties or schools and student services.
This support ensures students continue to receive academic and student support while dealing with the post-disaster situation. The university’s presence is expected to help students maintain the continuity of their education while providing the space they need to resume their academic activities optimally.
For the students receiving assistance, UGM’s support is not only meaningful in material terms but also represents the concern and solidarity of the broader UGM community. Imelda, a representative of the affected students from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), class of 2026, expressed her appreciation for UGM’s concern for students facing difficulties.
“I feel that UGM is not only a place where we study and enjoy university life, but also a place that is there for us when its students are facing difficulties,” said Imelda, one of the students from NTT.
She said the assistance has motivated affected students to continue studying and complete their education to the best of their ability. The support is also expected to encourage students to continue achieving academically and eventually contribute to society, particularly in their home region of Flores and Indonesia.
“For us, this assistance is not merely material support, but a form of care, strength, and hope that allows us to keep moving forward,” she said.
UGM Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Hempri Suyatna, said the assistance reflects a shared commitment to supporting the continued education of students affected by the disaster. Through the assistance and support provided, UGM seeks to ensure that students continue to have the opportunity to pursue their education despite the difficult circumstances caused by the disaster.
“Let us commit to realizing an inclusive, caring, and sustainable UGM,” Hempri said.
Through assistance and support, UGM seeks to ensure that students affected by the disaster continue to receive support throughout their education. The spirit of cooperation, care, and solidarity is expected to help students and their families cope with the disaster’s impacts and continue their education.
Author: Zabrina Kumara
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photograph: Donnie