UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta officially launched the UNS Endowment Fund as a strategic initiative to strengthen the sustainability of quality education. The launch took place at the G.P.H. Haryo Mataram Auditorium on Friday evening (May 8, 2026), alongside the presentation of awards to 18 outstanding alumni.
The event was attended by the Rector of UNS and the Vice Rectors, the Chair of the Board of Trustees (MWA), the Academic Senate, the Board of Professors, faculty leaders, the Mayor of Surakarta, and the Chairperson of the UNS Alumni Association (IKA UNS).
In his remarks, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., stated that during the momentum of the university’s 50th Anniversary in 2026, UNS officially launched the Endowment Fund as a strategic step to ensure the sustainability of quality education in the future.
Over the past five decades, UNS has demonstrated significant contributions to the development of Indonesia’s human resources through quality graduates, innovative research, and impactful community service. These achievements have gained recognition at both national and international levels.
One indicator of the high level of public trust in UNS is its position as the second most applied-to public university in Indonesia during the last two years in the National Test-Based Selection (SNBT). This trust, according to the university, is a mandate that must continue to be maintained and strengthened.
In global university rankings, UNS has shown significant progress and has consistently ranked among the top 10 universities nationally in recent years. In several international ranking institutions, UNS has even achieved a top-five national position. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, for example, UNS ranked second nationally, just below Universitas Indonesia.
Nevertheless, UNS emphasized the importance of preparing for institutional sustainability through a clear and sustainable development roadmap. One of the strategic measures taken is the establishment of the UNS Endowment Fund.
The fund is expected to become an important instrument in strengthening UNS’s independence in implementing various flagship programs while maintaining the sustainability of quality education. Returns generated from the fund’s investments will be allocated toward scholarships for underprivileged students, as well as the development of educational and research infrastructure and facilities. The fund will also support student activities to enhance achievements and institutional reputation, while promoting impactful research and innovation for society.
As of now, the UNS Endowment Fund has accumulated Rp 20,217,502,856, sourced from the remaining RKAT allocations from 2024 and 2025. The fund has already begun to be managed and invested by considering aspects such as returns, security, liquidity, and prudential principles.
The benefits of the UNS Endowment Fund have already been directly felt through the provision of educational assistance scholarships to 23 students.
“The launch of the UNS Endowment Fund tonight marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to ensure the sustainability of quality education at UNS,” he added.
Chair of the UNS Board of Trustees (MWA), Prof. Muliaman Darmansyah Hadad, Ph.D., stated that the launch of the Endowment Fund is a strategic step in strengthening the sustainability of higher education institutions in the future. The launch also became an important part of reflecting on UNS’s five-decade journey as a center of education, research, and community service.
“For five decades, UNS has been an academic home for many generations. From this campus emerged graduates, scientists, professionals, bureaucrats, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and individuals devoted to serving the nation in various fields,” explained Prof. Muliaman.
He further stated that UNS’s achievements are the result of the long-standing efforts of all university stakeholders, including the founders, university leaders, lecturers, educational staff, students, alumni, and strategic partners who have collectively built the university’s reputation and contributions to the nation.
The 50th anniversary serves as a reminder that universities must be prepared to face global challenges. In this context, the launch of the UNS Endowment Fund is viewed as an important foundation for institutional sustainability.
The fund is designed as a sustainability instrument in which the principal amount remains intact, while the investment returns are directed toward supporting education, research, community service, strengthening academic capacity, and assisting students in need.
Furthermore, the Chair of the Board of Trustees emphasized that the success of the UNS Endowment Fund depends heavily on governance that is transparent, accountable, prudent, and oriented toward public benefit. The fund, he noted, must be managed not only with financial accuracy but also with clarity of values. Its purpose is not merely to generate returns, but to ensure that its benefits are directed back to the university’s noble mission and create real impact for society.
“The launch of the Endowment Fund tonight is not merely a ceremonial event. It marks the beginning of a collective movement to safeguard the future of UNS through trust, collaboration, good governance, and a spirit of giving meaningful contributions,” he concluded.
Chairperson of IKA UNS, Prof. Dr. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, S.H., M.H., also expressed support for the launch of the UNS Endowment Fund as a strategic step to strengthen the sustainability of education and university development.
Similarly, the Mayor of Surakarta, Respati Achmad Ardianto, voiced his support for the initiative, stating that the UNS Endowment Fund could become an important foundation for improving the quality of education, research, innovation, and expanding educational access for future generations.
