Udayana University Clarification Regarding Collaboration with Kodam IX/Udayana: Focus on Character and Nationality Education, Not Campus Militarization

Jimbaran, 31 March 2025 – Responding to news and statements from a number of parties regarding the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) between Udayana University (Unud) and Military Regional Command (Kodam) IX/Udayana, Udayana University hereby provides official clarification and explanation.

The Cooperation Agreement is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) which was signed on 27 October 2023, which aims to create synergy in the fields of education, culture, science and technology.

Rector of Udayana University, Prof. Ir. I Ketut Sudarsana, S.T., Ph.D., emphasized that this collaboration was not aimed at bringing military practices to the campus world, but rather to:

  • Providing strengthening character education and national defense for students,
  • Increase discipline and national insight

"We want to clarify that this collaboration will not interfere with academic space or freedom of thought on campus. All collaboration programs will be educational, open and participatory," stressed the Rector.

Activities in this collaboration include:

  • Public lecture from TNI figures on nationality,
  • National defense training is non-militaristic,
  • Joint community service program in the fields of food security and appropriate technology,
  • Increasing the human resource capacity of active soldiers through access to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs at Unud.

All implementation activities will be adjusted to the principles of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and remain under academic control. As is the case with collaboration with various other parties with Udayana University which aims to improve the quality of education and the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.

Udayana University appreciates every criticism and input from students and the community. The Rector opened a space for dialogue to discuss the substance of this collaboration in an open, data-based manner and upholding democratic values.