Boosting Digital Transformation: 4,095 Private Universities to Receive Free Internet

The Association of Private Higher Education Institutions of Indonesia (APTISI) has partnered with PT Solusi Sinergi Digital Tbk (SURGE; IDX: WIFI) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the digital ecosystem of private higher education institutions (PTS) in Indonesia by expanding connectivity access, enhancing digital campus services, and developing AI-based learning platforms. The collaboration spans nationwide, with APTISI overseeing 4,095 PTS across Indonesia. The initiative aims to improve educational quality, expand higher education access, support distance and blended learning, and strengthen data-driven academic governance. The signing ceremony took place at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (26/5), attended by Minister Prof. Brian Yuliarto. The Minister’s presence underscores the government’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation in private higher education as part of national human resource development. ‘Digital transformation is a crucial foundation for improving higher education quality and ensuring universities’ relevance to national development needs,’ said Brian Yuliarto. On the same occasion, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology also launched the Leadership School Facilitation for PTS, a programme supporting standardisation, improved governance, leadership quality, and competitiveness of private institutions. The initiative aligns with PTS needs to strengthen institutional quality, governance, and readiness for higher education transformation. APTISI Central Chairman Muhammad Budi Djatmiko stressed that strengthening digital infrastructure is urgent for PTS. He noted that PTS are a major force in national higher education, spread across regions and serving as the primary access point for the public to pursue tertiary education. He added that to significantly increase the gross enrollment ratio (APK) for higher education, PTS must be strengthened. National APK growth is impossible without private universities. ‘APTISI and SURGE’s collaboration is a strategic move to expand access, reduce the digital divide, and accelerate technology-based learning,’ said Muhammad Budi Djatmiko. APTISI also believes that achieving the 40% higher education APK target by 2029 is more realistic if campus digitalisation, distance learning, blended learning, and AI-based academic platforms are widely implemented, including in regional PTS. The collaboration is bolstered by synergies with PT Pos Indonesia’s widespread service network across cities and districts, and support from the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP). These partnerships aim to enhance programme awareness and implementation across regions. ‘APTISI fully supports President Prabowo’s and the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology’s programme to raise Indonesia’s higher education APK to 40% by 2029,’ Budi Djatmiko stated. The event also featured Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo as keynote speaker, delivering a scientific lecture titled ‘Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Key Pillar for Quality Improvement, Equal Access, and Achieving 40% APK.’ He emphasised that equitable high-speed internet access is crucial for educational fairness, particularly for students in remote areas and communities previously limited by connectivity issues. On the same occasion, APTISI Deputy Chair Paristiyanti Nurwardani stated the collaboration marks a major leap in unifying all private campuses into a single integrated digital ecosystem. Previously, communication limitations hindered reaching all APTISI members across regions. ‘Thanks to SURGE’s free internet support, we now have a single database for all APTISI members,’ said Paristiyanti, who moderated the MoU discussion. The former Directorate General of Higher Education official added the integrated system will streamline quality assurance, research, and inter-campus module distribution via the national SPADA platform. As an initial step, the digitisation programme targets reaching 1,334 campuses by October 2026, focusing primarily on Java before expanding to Sumatra, including Lampung and Palembang by year-end. Beyond infrastructure, Paristiyanti, also rector of Unibang University, said APTISI will launch tiered leadership schools for private university leaders. SURGE Director Andi L Bharata expressed the company’s commitment to supporting educational equality through affordable, quality internet. The firm will provide pure fibre-optic internet service up to 1 Gbps with no data caps (fair usage policy/FUP). ‘We offer 1 Gbps fibre-optic internet with no data limits for universities. Our shareholders stress that business must also deliver social value and public benefit,’ Andi said. In addition to free campus internet for APTISI members, SURGE is offering ultra-low-cost home internet packages for lecturers and students. (H-2) Rising large-scale cyber threats are driving enhanced digital protection systems for businesses and industries strat