Govt Engages Universities to Strengthen Response to Anak Krakatau Eruption

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is engaging universities to strengthen efforts to address the impacts of the Anak Krakatau eruption by mobilizing assistance and academic expertise. Universities in affected areas have also been urged to activate emergency response posts and coordinate with local governments and relevant authorities.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan, said universities need to play an active role in monitoring developments related to the eruption, which has affected areas including Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, and parts of West Java.

“We urge university leaders to mobilize the assistance needed by local communities and members of the academic community, particularly assistance related to the eruption,” Fauzan said at a press conference on the latest situation following the Anak Krakatau eruption, held with the Government Communications Agency (Bakom RI) on Sunday, 6 September 2026.

In addition to humanitarian assistance, universities have been asked to mobilize experts from various fields to support government efforts to minimize the impacts of the Anak Krakatau eruption, which is currently at Alert Level III. These include expertise in health, engineering, environmental science, disaster management, and psychology.

Fauzan said mobilizing academic expertise would enable universities to help monitor the eruption while providing science-based support in responding to its impacts. The government is also continuing to coordinate with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the Higher Education Service Institution (LLDikti), and affected local governments.

“To protect the health of the academic community, we urge all universities, both public and private, to take strategic and effective measures aimed at reducing outdoor activities among members of the community,” he explained.

Based on the monitoring and coordination efforts, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology said there have so far been no reported casualties among members of the academic community and no damage to university infrastructure. To reduce health risks from exposure to volcanic ash, universities in affected areas have also been advised to adjust administrative and academic activities by implementing online or hybrid arrangements.