UAD Rector Calls for Evaluation of Independent Admission Schemes at State Universities

Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) in Yogyakarta has felt the impact of declining new student numbers in recent years. One contributing factor is the expanded independent admission system at state universities with legal entity status (PTN-BH).

UAD Rector, Professor Muchlas, voiced concerns about the effect of independent admission routes at PTN-BH. He noted that many prospective students who had already registered at private universities ultimately transfer to state institutions after being accepted through these channels.

Muchlas stated that around 15 per cent of prospective students who had completed registration and paid fees at UAD decided to withdraw after being accepted via the PTN independent route. ‘After surveying our registered students, we found that about 15 per cent of those who had already paid and registered at UAD withdrew. Our policy is to refund 75 per cent of fees, provided they show proof of acceptance at a PTN-BH,’ he said when met at the UAD Campus in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

According to Muchlas, this situation arises because independent admission routes at several state universities remain open until the middle of the year. As a result, students who had previously committed to studying at private campuses switch after securing a place at a state university.

‘Of those who had registered and paid at UAD, as soon as the independent programme opens there, 15 per cent are absorbed,’ he said.

He considers the existence of independent admission routes that run until July or even August a distinct problem for private higher education institutions. Private campuses must grapple with uncertainty over new student numbers until state university registration periods definitively close.

‘That is the problem. Students who have already registered at a private university can still move when accepted through the PTN independent route,’ he explained.

Muchlas said the pressures facing private universities are increasingly severe. Beyond the public’s purchasing power, private campuses must also compete with PTN-BH, which he described as becoming more aggressive in recruiting new students.

He suggested this situation is linked to the financial independence demands placed on PTN-BH. With reduced government subsidies, state universities are also relying on student tuition fees as a primary source of income. ‘Now their mindset is the same as ours: financial independence. So the easiest thing to do is simply to raise the quota,’ he remarked.

Therefore, Muchlas hopes the government will re-regulate the admission quotas at PTN-BH and evaluate the implementation of independent admission pathways. He considers such steps essential to ensure private universities still have space to recruit new students.

‘If possible, non-regular programmes like the independent route should be abolished. If that cannot be done yet, at least limit the quotas to give private universities in the same cities a fair chance to also recruit new students,’ he concluded.