Kemdiktisaintek prepares phased free-college plan at PTN
A cross-ministerial task force has been formed on presidential direction, while campus leaders put funding needs at about Rp97 triliun.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is preparing a study to carry out free college at public universities in line with President Prabowo Subianto's direction. Director General of Higher Education Khairul Munadi said the discussion covers implementation scenarios, including phased options and budget needs, while taking input from PTN leaders. The issue was discussed at a limited meeting at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on 23 September, then followed by the formation of a special team led by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs and involving the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of State Secretariat. The Forum Rektor Indonesia supports the idea and says state funding needs to be strengthened, with PTN budget requirements estimated at around Rp97 triliun.