51 Papua 'Adem' Programme Participants in East Java Secure Public University Places for 2026/2027
Surabaya (ANTARA) - A total of 51 participants from the Papua Affirmative Secondary Education (Adem) and Adem Repompatriation programmes, who have been studying in East Java, have been accepted into state universities (PTN) through the National Selection Based on Merit (SNBP) and the National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) for the 2026/2027 academic year.
“Alhamdulillah, this achievement is very proudable. The Adem programme does not only open access to quality education, but also succeeds in producing a Papuan generation that is high-achieving, resilient, characterised, and ready to compete at the national level,” said the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, in Surabaya on Wednesday.
According to data from the East Java Education Office, 26 participants were accepted through the SNBP track and 25 participants through the SNBT track.
“East Java is always open to being a learning home for the nation’s children from various regions. We want to ensure that every Indonesian child has the same opportunity to obtain quality, high-standard, and character-building education,” she said.
According to her, while undergoing education in East Java, Adem participants gained both academic experience and lessons in diversity, tolerance, and social life that strengthen the spirit of unity.
“They are the next generation who will eventually build Papua and Indonesia. Keep studying, never give up, and become a generation capable of bringing progress to both your home region and the Indonesian nation,” she added.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, the quota for the Papua Adem Programme in East Java has increased to 152 students from the previous 145 students.
“This is a mandate that must be guarded together. The more Papuan children gain the opportunity to study in East Java, the greater the contribution we can make in producing superior human resources towards Indonesia Emas 2045,” she emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Head of the East Java Education Office, Aries Agung Paewai, stated that the success of Adem participants in entering state universities is proof that Papuan children possess great potential to compete at the national level.
“I am very proud of the achievements of the Papua Adem students. This achievement is the result of the hard work of the students, the support of foster parents, and the dedication of the teachers and educators who have accompanied them all this time,” he said.
Currently, there are 440 Papua Adem students pursuing education in various senior high schools (SMA) and vocational high schools (SMK) in East Java, consisting of 145 tenth-grade students, 160 eleventh-grade students, and 135 twelfth-grade students who graduated on 5 May 2026.
A total of 127 Adem graduates have returned to their home regions across various areas of Papua, while eight other participants have returned earlier to participate in selection processes for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and official government colleges.
One of the Adem participants, Yazinta Kaipman from SMA Negeri 1 Kejayan, Pasuruan, expressed gratitude for being able to participate in the programme for three years in East Java.
“As Papuan children, we do not feel alone here. We have been welcomed very well, both in school and in our residential environment,” she said.