Telkom University Explains Motive Behind Student Bullying in Dormitory

Telkom University has imposed administrative sanctions on two students following an incident in which a first-year student was bullied in a men’s dormitory on Friday (9 October 2026).

The university’s Vice-Rector for Admissions, Student Affairs and Endowment, Prof. Dr Ratri Wahyuningtias, said one student had received a severe sanction and the other a medium-level sanction.

“Of the two, one has been given a severe sanction and the other a medium-level sanction. The forms of sanction vary, but we will provide an update as we are still waiting for one of the parties involved. In general, when Telkom University imposes a severe sanction, it can mean expulsion,” she said at a virtual press conference on Sunday (20 November 2026).

Ratri stressed that the bullying of the victim, as seen in a video that went viral on social media, was not motivated by a grudge.

“There was no motive of revenge, because the students involved and the victim were both first-year students who had only recently interacted during the student orientation programme, PKKMB. They were in the same dormitory, so they interacted frequently. It was not revenge, as there is no history indicating that they were close before joining Telkom University,” she said.

She declined to provide a detailed account of the perpetrators’ reasons for their actions, saying the chronology was complex. In general, however, she said the incident constituted bullying.

Ratri also said the victim was doing well. The university had taken steps to protect the student, including providing support from healthcare professionals.

“We are trying to ensure that everyone, especially the victim, is safe and well. We have provided protection, including counselling, to support both physical and mental health,” she said.