University Officials Visit Student Reported to be Depressed After Thesis Defence Cancelled 12 Times

A student at Nusa Cendana University in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is reported to be suffering from depression following the cancellation of her thesis proposal defence up to 12 times. The situation was further complicated by reported changes to the appointed examiners.

In a video circulating on the Facebook account @JublinaThalo, the student, from the Public Health Study Programme, was seen crying hysterically. The caption stated that the student was in a state of severe depression, facing her parents in distress because her mother, who was an examiner, had changed the examining board. The post also noted that the student’s mother was hospitalised and that the student’s examination had been postponed 12 times before she could proceed to the next stage.

The video depicts the student crying and struggling on her house floor, while family members attempted to calm her. The student has reportedly undergone medical treatment at a hospital.

Following the incident, the Vice Rector III for Student Affairs at Undana Kupang, Rudi Rohi, stated that the university had received information regarding the matter before it became widely discussed on social media. He noted that the university has since coordinated with the faculty to investigate the core of the problem. “Before it went viral, we had actually received reports about a day earlier because several lecturers and students requested cooperation so that we can communicate directly in such instances. We have acted quickly by asking the faculty to ascertain the details of the issue,” he said, as quoted from a MetroTV YouTube broadcast on Saturday, 1 August 2026.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) at Undana Kupang, Apris Adu, stated that the faculty has held a coordination meeting with relevant parties to discuss the matter. “When we received this information, I held a coordination meeting with all leaders, including Vice Deans I and II, the Head of Administration, and the Sub-division Head, as well as all stakeholders in the Study Programme and operators. We are reviewing this issue. Our principle is that we must ensure this matter is resolved quickly,” he said.