UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho answered the issue of campus commercialization after the designation of UNS status as Public University with Legal Entity (PTN BH) through the governmental decree (PP) Number 56 of 2020 on 6 October 2020. Prof. Jamal conveyed this answer in Ngobrol Santai Akhir Tahun (Year-End Chat) on “Discussing UNS PTN BH and UNS Kaleidoscope 2020” which is broadcasted online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting and UNS Official YouTube channel on Thursday (31/12/2020).
Prof. Jamal stated that as a public educational institution, UNS has a responsibility to provide opportunities and concerns for prospective students or students who are financially disadvantaged to study in university. “If there is a perception of commercialization, it is not correct. Because we are required to accept Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIP-K) (red: government assistance for college education), which previously known as Bidikmisi with a quota of 20 percent,” Prof. Jamal explained.
Prof. Jamal also stated that each student who has KIP-K would receive facilities in the form of living costs during their study in UNS, including transportation, accommodation, and living allowances. If there is an indication of levies to students with KIP-K, Prof. Jamal asked that students report the levies to UNS. It is UNS’ responsibility to maintain transparency in KIP-K distribution and the integrity of the institute.
“Since they were accepted (as a student) even their flight cost, for example, students from outside Java to here and when they go back home are covered. For an undergraduate degree, semesters 1- 8 is free, with no cost incurred. If students pay any costs, report it to me,” he emphasized.
Prof. Jamal also dismissed the public perception that view UNS PTN BH status causes a higher cost to be incurred for students. He explained that UNS has a Single Tuition Fee (UKT) category that depends on the admission types from SNMPTN, SBMPTN, and Independent Selection (SM). The UKT is also implemented differently in each program, considering the parent’s economic condition.
“For SM, it is legitimate in Public University to charge Sumbangan Pembangunan Institusi (SPI) (red: donation for institutional development) with different amounts. There are 1-4 alternatives, and the fourth alternative is students filling the number themselves (red: nominal SPI), and for each program, the rate is different,” Prof. Jamal explained.
Prof. Jamal gave an example of the numbers of UKT payment relief for UNS students with financial difficulty. In this case, UNS opens various options for relief through exemptions, downgrades, delays, and installments. In August – January semester registration 2020/2021, UNS also provides relief for students whose parents got affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The relief was granted to 9,752 with a total of IDR 37 billion through full exemption, regular relief, and Covid-19 relief. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta C
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
