Central Java Governor Covers Tuition and Boarding Costs for 172 NTT Students Affected by Earthquake
The assistance was handed over when Ahmad Luthfi visited the NTT students’ boarding house on Jalan Pawiyatan Luhur Selatan III, Bendan Duwur, Gajahmungkur Subdistrict, Semarang City, on Monday (7/9).
During the occasion, Luthfi held a direct dialogue with student representatives. He enquired about the condition of the students’ families back in NTT, including parents who were still displaced and struggling to receive aid due to access difficulties in a number of affected areas.
“You are my children here. Whatever shortcomings and grievances the students and people of NTT face, I feel them too. Students in Central Java are my responsibility,” said Ahmad Luthfi in a written statement on Monday (7/9/2026).
Luthfi said the Central Java Provincial Government had instructed the Education Office, the Central Java National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), and Bank Jateng to coordinate with universities. The coordination is aimed at providing relief on education and accommodation costs for affected students.
“Tell your parents back home that here in Central Java, you now have parents looking after you. I have also ordered the Education Office, Baznas and Bank Jateng to coordinate with all universities — we will ask for waivers or cover tuition fees, as well as boarding costs for one to three months,” he said.
According to information from the NTT student group in Semarang City, 172 students have been affected. They come from Manggarai Raya, Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende and Maumere, and the number could still rise as data collection continues.
In addition to tuition and boarding assistance, the Central Java Provincial Government, through its Social Security programme, also distributed 172 Social Safety Net (JPS) food packages. Each package is worth Rp 250,000, bringing the total food aid to around Rp 43 million.
During the dialogue, Maria Riani Nake, a student at Untag Semarang, was moved to tears. She could not hold back her crying when she thought of the condition of her parents and family back home, while she and her older and younger siblings still had to continue their studies in Semarang.
In that moment, Ahmad Luthfi comforted her and offered encouragement to keep studying with spirit.
“I was touched, because the Governor of Central Java has treated me like his own child,” said Maria.
Alfonsius Joivan Sar, a student from South Elar Subdistrict, East Manggarai, recounted that his home area is difficult to access, and even aid from various regions has struggled to reach his village. His family is currently still sheltering at a displacement post because their house is not yet fit for habitation.
“My friends from NTT and I would like to thank the Governor of Central Java for visiting and providing us with assistance — money for tuition fees and boarding,” said Armansyah, a law student at Semarang State University.
Yuvensius Daseli, a student at Untag, added that according to data, there are around 300 students from NTT in Semarang City, spread across the various universities. He expressed his gratitude for the attention and care shown by Governor Ahmad Luthfi and the Central Java Provincial Government.
“Honestly, we were moved by what the Governor said. We were deeply touched when the Governor said directly that he would be our parent here. The data I compiled shows almost 300 students in Semarang alone,” said Yuvensius.
During the visit, Ahmad Luthfi was accompanied by the Head of Central Java Baznas, Ahmad Darodji, the Director of Bank Jateng, Bambang Widiyatmoko, a number of heads of regional offices, and the Rector of Universitas 17 Agustus (Untag) Semarang.