Undana Denies Claims Student Jessica Faced 12 Thesis Exam Cancellations

Nusa Cendana University (Undana) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, has clarified misinformation circulating in the community alleging that a student from the Faculty of Public Health experienced 12 cancellations of her thesis examination. The student, Jessica Sofia Tunardjo, had previously been hospitalised and drew the attention of local government and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Vice Rector IV of Undana, Prof. Philiphi de Rozari, stated during a press conference at the Rectorate on Wednesday afternoon that the claim of 12 cancelled thesis exams was false. He explained that what occurred were adjustments to the schedule for proposal seminars and results seminars, not the thesis examination itself, and that these adjustments were made between the supervisor, examiners, and the student. De Rozari outlined that the final assignment process consists of a proposal seminar, a results seminar, and a thesis examination. He noted that the issue circulating in the media had conflated these stages, creating the perception that Jessica had repeatedly failed to sit her final exam. The schedule changes occurred because supervisors were sometimes unavailable, while on other occasions the student could not attend the set schedule. He stressed that the delay in completing the final assignment could not be attributed to a single party. The university also clarified that the student did not suffer from depression as widely reported, but rather from fatigue and anxiety which affected her physical condition. She has since recovered and is now at home. Undana has formed a clarification and investigation team to examine the entire sequence of events, including communication between parties and compliance with standard operating procedures. The team will gather statements from the student, supervisors, examiners, programme leaders, faculty leadership, and administrative staff. The findings will serve as the basis for evaluating academic governance, including scheduling mechanisms, coordination systems, communication with students, and improvements to SOPs to prevent similar issues. The Rector, Prof. Jefri Bale, is paying full attention to the handling of the case and hopes the public, media, and netizens will allow space for the recovery of Jessica and the lecturers involved, while supporting Undana’s efforts to improve academic governance. The university also confirmed that the viral social media post regarding the 12 cancellations was not made by Jessica Sofia Tunardjo, but by another party.