Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, Ahmad Muzani, emphasized that State Universities with Legal Entity status (PTN-BH) require strong financial support to maintain the quality of teaching and learning. At present, PTN-BH are positioned almost like private universities, being required to seek their own sources of income. This situation, he noted, has become both a challenge and an obstacle in providing educational services and improving academic quality, as universities are expected not only to deliver the best education but also to secure independent funding.
“I believe this is an alarm, signaling that our universities are facing a difficult situation. This issue must be taken seriously because it will affect the entire education system,” said Muzani during his visit to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Thursday (Aug. 21).
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, stated that PTN-BH institutions like UGM must continue to safeguard the quality of education.
Referring to UGM’s strategic agenda, she explained that inclusivity and equal access to education remain a central priority.
UGM strives to provide broad opportunities for higher education through various programs that offer financial assistance to students.
Rector Emilia added that education should not become an exclusive product that is difficult for society to access.
On the other hand, PTN-BH also requires adequate support to sustain educational services while improving its quality.
“The PTN-BH status is similar to private institutions in that they must strive independently. Yet, at the same time, they cannot compromise on quality. Navigating these limitations is far from easy,” she said.
She further emphasized that the state must be present and provide greater support if Indonesia is truly committed to reforming its higher education system.
Echoing this, Professor Wening Udasmoro, UGM Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, highlighted several challenges still faced by PTN-BH.
One pressing issue is the competition between national and international universities in scholarship programs such as LPDP, where prospective students tend to prefer foreign universities over domestic ones.
She also pointed out the tendency to prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields over social sciences and humanities.
“In fact, both fields are equally urgent and must progress hand in hand,” she remarked.
According to Vice-Rector Udasmoro, it is important to raise awareness that every discipline has its own role and value.
In today’s era of rapid technological development and climate change, cross-disciplinary collaboration is increasingly essential.
The MPR Speaker’s visit to UGM is expected to serve as a platform for discussion and for voicing the challenges faced by state universities with legal entity status to the government.
Such institutions, she emphasized, need the state’s support to continue delivering the best possible education for the nation’s future generations.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Firsto Adi