PTMA Rectors' Forum Conveys Higher Education Aspirations to Parliament
The Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Rectors’ Forum (PTMA) conducted a visit to Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the DPR Secretariat General Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026). The visit aimed to convey various aspirations regarding higher education policies, particularly those impacting private universities (PTS).
“The new student admission policy is not yet proportional. A number of state universities are accepting students in very large numbers, which impacts the sustainability of private universities, including PTMA,” the forum stated on Saturday (20/6/2026). It emphasised that many excellent private universities possess quality on par with state universities and therefore need fairer treatment in national higher education policy.
The PTMA Rectors’ Forum proposed the importance of developing a more directed higher education architecture, regulating an ideal lecturer-to-student ratio, and the need for a written and firm policy regarding new student admissions.
Responding to these aspirations, Commission X member Ir Haji La Tinro La Tunrung expressed support for the views presented. He asserted that the government needs to provide a more balanced space for private universities and ensure a fairer distribution of education assistance, including the KIP Kuliah scholarship programme. “We will endeavour to convey all aspirations presented by the PTMA Rectors’ Forum to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology,” he said. He explained that the government plans to equalise operational education costs between state and private universities starting in 2027, a policy expected to reduce the gap that has existed between the two types of institutions.
The visit then continued to the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction in the DPR. The Chairman of the PKS Faction for the 2025-2029 period, Dr H Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, M.Si, expressed support for efforts to strengthen higher education and acknowledged that the imbalance in student distribution between state and private universities is an issue requiring an immediate solution. “Many private campuses are struggling to get students because state universities are accepting students in very large numbers. This is our concern and we are seeking the best solution,” he stated. Abdul Kharis also voiced support for efforts to increase KIP Kuliah access for students at private universities.
The series of activities concluded with a visit to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). During the meeting, Ma’mun Murod proposed strengthening research cooperation between BRIN and the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) as well as several other Muhammadiyah universities, while also introducing the Indonesian Center for Health Evidence-Informed Policy (I-CHIP). I-CHIP is a transdisciplinary study centre developed by UMJ focusing on strengthening national health policy based on scientific evidence, social justice, and moral integrity. It focuses on the transformation of primary healthcare services, equitable health financing, health resilience due to climate change, and strengthening national pharmaceutical independence. The Head of BRIN, Prof Dr Arif Satria, SP, M.Si, welcomed the visit and expressed BRIN’s readiness to support various research and innovation programmes developed by PTMA.