Let’s Know the 4 Oldest Universities in Indonesia

Indonesia has a long list of universities, doesn’t it? As we may know, there are a lot of universities, starting from Indonesia’s east side to Indonesia’s west side. Those universities have their own uniqueness.

Their uniqueness could be seen by their culture, their curriculum, student’s activities, and so on. These basic differences automatically can lead to differences in university life in Indonesia. That’s very interesting, isn’t it?

But still, those universities can be categorized as an old university or a new university. Basically, the old one was built in the colonial era and the new university was established in the modern era. Whatever university you are in, they are undeniably cool.

And majority, those universities are kind of universities in Indonesia for international students, because they probably open international study programs. And maybe they need to know how to study in Indonesia. So here we go, there is a list of oldest universities in Indonesia.

• University of Indonesia

Who doesn’t know University of Indonesia (UI), anyways? The university with its popular yellow jacket is the oldest university in Indonesia. The primary campus is located in Depok, West Java, exactly in the northern park.

Actually, the location of UI is still blurry because it is located right on the border between Depok and the South Jakarta. You can visit another main campus which is located in Salemba, Central Jakarta.

Until now, University of Indonesia has produced up to approximately 400.000 alumni. The students who had studied there came from very different backgrounds, cultures, and so on so no wonder if University of Indonesia is one of the most multicultural campuses that covers broad disciplines in Indonesia.

And the most prestigious study program in Indonesia is Medical Faculty, which is regarded as one of top medical universities in Indonesia. Not only Medical Faculty, Psychology Faculty is also known as the best psychology university in Indonesia.

University of Indonesia regarded as one of the top three universities in Indonesia, together with Gadjah Mada University and Bandung Institute of Technology.

Historically, University of Indonesia officially started all the campus activities on 2nd February 1950 and was led by the first president named Ir. R. M. Pandji Soerachman Tjokroadisoerio.

At first, the Dutch colonial government planned to establish a school aimed to produce additional medical assistants. These assistants were wished to have a certificate and get a “Javanese Doctor” degree.

Originally, the office of University of Indonesia is located at Salemba Raya Sreet no. 6, but then it moved to Salemba Raya Street no. 4.

• Airlangga University

The next list of oldest universities in Indonesia is Airlangga University. This university is located in Surabaya, East Java. Airlangga University was established on 10th November 1954 to coincide with the 9th Heroes Day.

At the time of its inauguration, Airlangga University consisted of five faculties, The Faculty of Medical, The Faculty of Dentistry, The Faculty of Law, The Faculty of Literature, and Teacher Training and Education Faculty.

Each of the faculties has the uniqueness. The Faculty of Dentistry was originally a branch of the University of Indonesia. Besides, The Faculty of Law was originally a branch of Gadjah Mada University. In 1962, The Faculty of Literature at Airlangga University separated from Airlangga University to become part of Udayana University.

Meanwhile, Teacher Training and Education Faculty has now been transformed into “Institut Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan” (IKIP) Negeri Malang, and now has changed to Universitas Negeri Malang (UM).

Maybe you ever wonder where did the name and symbol of Airlangga University come from? Historically, Garuda Mukti (symbol of Airlangga University) is taken from the name of the king who ruled East Java in 1019 until 1042.

The king was Rakar Galu Sri Lokeswara Dharmawangsa Airlangga Anantawikramattungadewa or known by the name Prabu Airlangga. That is really amazing, isn’t it?

• Gadjah Mada University

You are familiar with the “Gadjah Mada” title? Yes, that is Gadjah Mada University! This favorite university is the first university established by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia after Indonesia’s independence.

How cool, isn’t it?

Gadjah Mada University was established on December 19, 1949, by the Indonesian Government. No wonder this university becomes the oldest university in Indonesia. That’s why so many students in Senior High School who are interested to become part of Gadjah Mada University.

At first, when Gadjah Mada University was still in the establishment process, Gadjah Mada University only had six faculties, but now it has 18 Faculties and two Schools namely Vocational Schools and Postgraduate Schools (formerly Postgraduate Programs), and more than 100 Study Programs for Masters, Doctoral and Specialist. Gorgeous!

• Bandung Institute of Technology

And now, last but not least… our last list of oldest universities in Indonesia is Bandung Institute of Technology! This university is very well-known and becomes the main destination for you, all senior high school students who love engineering, art, and business!

As we know from the title, Bandung Institute of Technology is located in Bandung, West Java. This institute was established on 3rd July 1920. Really old, isn’t it?

In 2016, ITB finally had ten undergraduate study programs that internationally accredited from Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Together with Bogor Agricultural University, Bandung Institute of Technology got international accreditation.

The programs are Electrical Engineering, Informatics, Engineering Physics, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Engineering Management, Petroleum Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

There are 3 clusters and 13 faculties in Bandung Institute of Technology. The clusters are Natural Sciences Cluster, Engineering Cluster, and Social Sciences, Art, and Humanities Cluster.

So, that’s all list of oldest universities in Indonesia. Is there one of the universities list above which is your campus?