MidLand, Jakarta – The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has finally opened up about the news of arrears in single tuition fees, aka UKT, for a number of students that has recently sparked widespread public discussion. Head of the ITB Communications and Public Relations Office, Naomi Haswanto, confirmed that her institution has implemented various programs to assist in funding students’ education. The scheme provided by the ITB Student Affairs Directorate covers living expenses and UKT payments, depending on your priority needs.
“The implementation of these programs is a form of ITB’s concern for the continuity of students’ studies, without ignoring the mutually agreed upon rules and regulations,” he said in a written statement, Sunday, February 4, 2024.
News regarding the financial burden of ITB students emerged ahead of the new semester in February 2024. Before entering the even semester, there were 1,786 ITB students registered as applying for an exemption from the single tuition fee, or UKT.
In its official statement, ITB considers the development of this information as a form of expression of opinion. However, the management of the Bandung campus also emphasizes the importance of transparency in policies and administration for the organization of student studies. “ITB remains firmly committed to supporting every student, so that they have the opportunity to continue their studies even if hindered by financial problems.”
Read also: ITB alumni talk about the difference between past and present school arrears
Naomi said ITB has implemented a system to avoid UKT arrears which could harm various parties. One form of this is collaboration with various partners in providing scholarships, both governmental and non-governmental. You gave the example of collaboration with non-banking institutions that operate specifically in the education sector. Without declaring its identity, it states that the institution has been registered and has received close supervision by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
In 2023, ITB distributed scholarships to 7,672 students. This number reaches 25% of the total student body or the number of ITB students. The campus is also seeking lifeline grant assistance for some cases, for example for those who do not have time to apply for UKT relief under the specified schedule. This assistance is also intended for students experiencing disasters and economic problems, as long as it is supported by clear evidence.
UKT amount based on acceptance route
Currently, ITB has several selection routes for student admission, starting from National Results-Based Selection (SNBP), National Test-Based Selection (SNBT), Independent Selection (SM) and International University Program (IUP). Students accepted by ITB via SNBP and SNBT will be divided into five UKT payment categories, from IDR 0 to the highest UKT. Students on the MS track are required to pay the full cost of the degree program at ITB.
“ITB does not provide subsidies for education costs for students accepted through the IUP and SM-ITB pathways,” Naomi said. However, ITB makes exceptions for SM-ITB participants holding Indonesian Smart College Card (KIP-K) who come from SMA and Madrasah Aliyah. (MA) in the 3T region. Participants in this category are exempt from taxes.
Naomi ensures that her institution is always open to collaborate with various parties who are sincere in contributing to the improvement of the quality and sustainability of educational services at ITB. “Let us maintain this union with favorable attitudes and avoid steps that could cause misunderstandings,” she said.
Announcement
Classic UKT problems at ITB
UKT’s problems have long haunted ITB students. Extraordinary Scholarship Foundation (BLB) president Amelia Sakinah said earlier that the total UKT arrears for odd-semester ITB students has reached IDR 4.3 billion. BLB data shows that 20% of the arrears came from 145 independent students with arrears of IDR 2.9 billion, and the rest from 598 regular students with arrears of IDR 1.44 billion.
“If we average it, it’s actually around 4.3 (total arrears of 4.3 billion rupees),” Amelia told Tempo, Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
The BLB Foundation is a scholarship provider including UKT, credit assistance, coaching and mentoring programs run by young ITB alumni. The scholarship program has been active for ten periods, since 2017.
According to Amelia, talks have often taken place between representatives of the foundation and the ITB, but a long-term solution for the UKT problem has not yet been found. The BLB also reminded campuses to be open about student needs data that is routinely in backlog each year. “We have repeatedly called for commitment and also for a long-term system to resolve the UKT issue,” she said.
Read also: UKT arrears for ITB students reach IDR 4.3 billion
ITB Alumni Association president Jalu Pradhono Priambodo also regretted the mess of UKT backlogs within his alma mater. “There is a ban on students registering, and there is the problem of loans (online loans),” he said on February 1.
According to Jalu, cases of students in arrears with their tuition fees always appear every semester. However, there was previously no ban on enrollment for students with UKT arrears. “Every chancellor has a different approach, as far as I know, there wasn’t one before. “But then there is the policy of withholding diplomas if there are backlogs,” he said.
IRSYAN HASYIM | ADINDA JASMIN PRASETYO
Quoted From Many Source
