Undana prepares tuition fee relief for students affected by earthquake in NTT

Nusa Cendana University (Undana) in Kupang has prepared an affirmative policy for students affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, in the form of lecture flexibility and tuition fee (UKT) relief options.

Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs Prof. Annytha I.R. Detha in Kupang on Monday said the policy was prepared to ensure that students affected by the disaster can continue their education without being burdened by the emergency conditions their families are currently facing.

“Specifically for students who are still affected, we will provide flexibility to postpone their lecture schedule until the 1st of next month. We already have data and contacts for all affected students as a basis for determining policies according to their needs,” she said.

She explained that Undana has been collecting data on the condition of affected students through all study programmes since the day after the earthquake occurred.

Ahead of the new semester lectures scheduled to begin on 26 August 2026, Undana is providing flexibility to students who are still in affected areas and are not yet able to return to Kupang.

These students are given the opportunity to adjust their lecture schedules until 1 September 2026.

The university is also finalising a number of UKT payment relief options, including deferring payment to the following month, adjusting payments through banking partners, and the possibility of a 50 percent UKT reduction.

“The most feasible option is deferring UKT payment to next month or a possible 50 percent reduction. The technical decision will be announced in the near future,” she said.

In addition to providing academic and financial flexibility, Undana is also distributing humanitarian aid in the form of logistical supplies for affected students.

The aid is distributed directly through Undana’s Community Service Programme (KKN) posts located in disaster-affected areas.

The rectorate has urged students experiencing difficulties due to the disaster to immediately coordinate with their respective study programme administrators.

Undana is currently finalising the technical mechanism for aid distribution and the UKT adjustment policy based on the affected student data that has been collected and verified.