Indonesia Ensures Higher Education Continues After NTT Earthquake

RRI.CO.ID, Ruteng - Indonesia’s House of Representatives and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology are working to ensure that higher education continues for students affected by the earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara on August 15, 2026. The commitment was highlighted during a specific working visit to Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng on September 5 to assess the condition of affected campuses and students.

The visit was led by Deputy Chair of the House Commission X My Esti Wijayati and included four other Commission X members, Ministry officials and representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The delegation inspected education facilities and discussed measures to maintain learning activities amid the post-earthquake emergency situation.

Ministry Regulation Expert Nur Syarifah, said the government had recorded the needs raised by higher education institutions affected by the disaster. “The hopes and needs expressed by the universities have been noted, and we have discussed the need to adapt regulations so that learning can continue,” she said.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is also processing assistance for 5,000 students affected by the disaster. The government is considering additional support for private universities to help repair learning facilities and laboratory spaces, while education assistance was symbolically provided to affected recipients of the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP Kuliah).

My Esti Wijayati emphasized that students’ right to education must remain protected even during an emergency. “We want to ensure that even in an emergency situation, students’ right to receive an education must be guaranteed, and they must not be forced to drop out,” she said.

The House Commission X also called for faster collection of data on affected students studying at universities in different locations so that government assistance can be targeted effectively. It stressed the importance of cooperation among the central government, local authorities, universities and other stakeholders, including through tuition relief or exemptions for affected students.

At Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, 1,626 students were reported to have been affected by the earthquake, while 88 lecturers’ homes and 68 university buildings and facilities were reported damaged. Despite the impact, the university has continued classes through online learning, including orientation activities for new students, while providing tuition payment delays, financial relief and emergency assistance.

The visit underscored the Indonesian government’s efforts to protect access to higher education while supporting recovery in disaster-affected communities in East Nusa Tenggara. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the House Commission X said they would continue coordinating on data, policies and assistance to help affected students resume and continue their studies.