Undana Proposes Establishment of Notary Studies Programme, Lobbies Justice Ministry
Nusa Cendana University (Undana) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has submitted a proposal for the establishment of a notary studies programme. The submission follows a commitment from Justice Minister Supratman Andi Agtas to open a notary studies programme in NTT.
Undana Rector Jefri S Bale met with the Director General of General Legal Administration (AHU) at the Justice Ministry, Widodo, in Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. The meeting represented a direct initiative from Undana in response to the shortage of notary professionals in NTT.
Jefri outlined two primary matters addressed during the audience. Firstly, Undana declared its full readiness to deliver notary education, particularly should the government lift the current moratorium on opening new notary studies programmes. Secondly, Undana formally submitted a request for a recommendation letter from the AHU Directorate General as part of the administrative requirements for establishing a new academic programme.
“We hope to obtain a recommendation from the AHU Directorate General as part of the administrative requirements before the proposal for opening the programme is processed further at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology,” Jefri explained.
According to Jefri, support from the Justice Ministry is vital to ensure that the notary studies programme genuinely addresses community needs, particularly in eastern Indonesia.
Undana Vice Rector I, Annytha IR Detha, stressed that the Justice Ministry’s recommendation represents crucial legal standing in the process of submitting a proposal for a new programme. The document will facilitate inter-ministerial coordination when the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology conducts verification of the programme’s necessity and readiness.
“This recommendation serves as an important foundation in strengthening the process of opening the notary studies programme at Undana,” she stated.
The Chair of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Board of the Indonesian Notaries Association (INI), Zantje M Voss Tomasowa, noted that the number of notaries in NTT remains severely limited and unevenly distributed. In total, only 150 notaries currently operate in NTT, with the majority concentrated in the provincial capital.
“Currently, only around 150 notaries are available to serve more than 20 regencies and cities in NTT. Approximately 45 per cent of notaries are even concentrated in Kupang City, whilst several other regencies have only one notary,” Zantje explained.
Such conditions significantly impact legal services for NTT’s growing population. The situation is deemed disproportionate to the population’s increasing demand for legal services, particularly regarding the preparation of authentic deeds, legal agreements, and various other legal documents.
Zantje explained that opening a notary studies programme at Undana would create substantial opportunities for young people from NTT to pursue this education without relocating outside the region, which would require considerably higher costs.