UMY Initiates FGD for Yogyakarta Private Universities, Discusses Higher Education Policy Challenges

Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) initiated a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Higher Education Policy in Indonesia, bringing together leaders of private universities (PTS) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta with the Deputy Chair of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Esti Wijayati. The forum, held in the Commission Meeting Room of the AR Fachruddin A Building at UMY, served as a platform to gather aspirations from private universities regarding the various challenges they face. Attendees included representatives from UMY, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), Universitas ’Aisyiyah Yogyakarta (UNISA), Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY), Universitas Janabadra, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, and Universitas Sanata Dharma (USD), along with deans from within UMY.

Strategic issues discussed ranged from declining student enrolment numbers and the Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIP-K) financing scheme to regulations perceived as burdensome to the operations of private universities. UMY Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Zuly Qodir, M.Ag., explained that the forum was an initiative to consolidate the aspirations of private universities facing similar problems so they could be conveyed directly to the government. "UMY initiated this forum by inviting several major PTS in DIY that are experiencing the same issues. We want to convey the real conditions of private universities so that the government understands the challenges we are facing," Zuly Qodir stated in a written release on Monday (6/7/2026).

He said the forum was intended to provide input to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology so that future policies would better consider the actual conditions of private universities. One key concern is the obligation to meet Key Performance Indicators (IKU), including encouraging the admission of students from underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions, which is not matched with financial support. "PTS are encouraged to accept students from 3T regions as part of the IKU, but without accompanying funding. If every study programme is required to accept these students without state assistance, it will become a significant financial burden for the campus," he explained.

Furthermore, the demand to improve university rankings at both national and international levels is also seen as lacking adequate budgetary support. "Campuses are required to participate in various rankings and accreditation processes, but most of the costs must still be borne independently. The demands are high, while the state’s contribution to financing is not yet balanced," Zuly added. He also highlighted the KIP-K financing scheme, which is considered insufficient to cover educational costs at many private universities. He noted that the current KIP-K assistance is around Rp4.5 million per student, whereas the average educational cost at UMY exceeds that amount. "This means the cost difference must be covered by the campus because KIP-K recipient students are not allowed to be charged additional fees. This condition certainly becomes a heavy burden for private universities," he said.

According to Zuly, the presence of the Deputy Chair of Commission X DPR RI at the forum was an important momentum for the aspirations of private universities to be brought to the national policy discussion level. "Commission X has an oversight function in the education sector. The hope is that the various issues we have raised can be discussed with the government so that resulting policies are more favourable to private universities," he remarked. He is optimistic that the proposals submitted have a high chance of being accommodated, especially since most relate to policies to be implemented in the next fiscal year. "I am optimistic that around 90 percent of these proposals can be realised. Many things can still be adjusted for 2027 if the government has the courage to make policy improvements," Zuly concluded. Through this forum, UMY hopes that joint recommendations from private universities in DIY will emerge as constructive input for the government in formulating higher education policies that are fairer, more sustainable, and capable of strengthening the competitiveness of private universities in Indonesia.