Undana History

After a lengthy process, the long-standing aspiration of establishing a state university in the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has been fulfilled. The idea to create Nusa Cendana University (Undana) originated from the strong desire of the people in NTT to access enhanced educational opportunities. Consequently, the founding committee advocated for the establishment of a State University in the region.

According to Minister of Higher Education and Science (PTIP) Decree Number 111 of 1962, dated August 28, 1962, the founding of the State University located in Kupang was officially recognized from September 1, 1962. This date also marks the "Dies Natalis" or the birth anniversary of the State University in Kupang.

The Founding Preparatory Committee proposed three potential names for the newly established State University: Nusa Cendana, Paraja, and Liurai. After consideration, the name that received approval was Nusa Cendana, as stated in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 67 of 1963, dated April 23, 1963. From that moment onwards, the university became officially known as Nusa Cendana State University, with the abbreviation Undana.

Nusa Cendana University, initially known as Kupang State University, was founded by a group of individuals that included W.J. Lalamentik, the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province at the time, along with Captain El Tari and Drs. R. Karsono Kramadiredja serving as Secretaries I and II. The founding committee comprised five sections consisting of officials from NTT and community leaders. The official inauguration of the State University took place on September 17, 1962, held in the NTT DPRD Level I room.

To ensure the effective administration of the newly established State University, its leadership structure was organized and officially established through the Decree of the Minister of PTIP Number 162/MP/1962, dated February 14, 1962. The University Presidium was appointed, with Muhamad Salim, SH (Head of the High Prosecutor's Office in Kupang) as the Chairman and Drs. S. Daud as the Secretary, both representing the Single Chess of NTT Province. Furthermore, a University Foundation was also created, led by W.C.H. Oematan as its Chairperson.

Furthermore, according to the Minister of PTIP Decree Number 111 of 1962, supported by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Decree Number 67 of 1963, dated April 23, 1963, Nusa Cendana University was established with 4 (four) Faculties. These faculties include the Faculty of State Administration and Institutional Affairs (FKK, 1962), followed by the Faculty of Animal Husbandry (1964). Additionally, the Kupang Branch of IKIP Malang was later integrated into Undana, forming the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP, 1964).

In 1982, the expansion of Nusa Cendana University led to the establishment of the Faculty of Law (FH), and the following year, in 1983, the Faculty of Agriculture was inaugurated. Unfortunately, certain technical issues, such as a shortage of lecturers and laboratory resources, hindered the full functioning of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry and the Faculty of Agriculture. On the other hand, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education thrived not only in Kupang, offering majors in Law, Economics, and Life Sciences, but also opened a branch in Ende with majors in Natural Sciences, Education, and English.

According to the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0621/O/1967, the original Faculty of Law underwent integration with the Faculty of State and Order, becoming the Faculty of State, Order, and Law (FKKH) with departmental status. FKKH comprised two departments: Civil Law and Criminal Law. Subsequently, in 1982, FKKH was split into two distinct Faculties: the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Administrative Sciences (FIA). After a few years, FIA underwent a name change to become the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), consisting of three departments: State Administration, Commerce, and Sociology. In 2008, FISIP expanded by introducing two additional departments: Communication Studies and Political Science. Then, in 2011, the Department of Commerce transformed into the Department of Business Administration. Later, in 2012, FISIP further expanded its programs to include Accounting and Development Economics Study Programs, eventually leading to the establishment of the Faculty of Economics and Business.

In particular, concerning the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, an additional Veterinary Medicine Study Program was introduced in 2009. This made Undana's Veterinary Medicine Study Program the seventh of its kind in Indonesia.

In 1982, the Faculty of Agriculture began enrolling new students in two majors: the Department of Agronomy and the Department of Agricultural Social Economics. Additionally, the Faculty of Non-Graduate Technology (FNGT) was established, offering two majors: the Department of Civil Engineering and the Department of Integrated Agricultural Extension. However, in 1989, the Department of Integrated Agricultural Extension was moved to the Faculty of Animal Husbandry. Regrettably, the FNGT was shut down in 1991, and the Department of Integrated Agricultural Extension found its new home in the Faculty of Agriculture.

Moreover, an Engineering Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) was established, which included the Civil Engineering Department. Subsequently, in 1994, the Fisheries and Marine Unit was introduced, housing the Department of Fisheries and Marine Affairs. Additionally, the Engineering Unit expanded by incorporating two more Departments: the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Electrical Engineering. Similarly, the Faculty of Agriculture expanded its offerings by adding two more Departments: the Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, and the Department of Soil Science.

Continuing its progress, following the approval of the Director of Higher Education of the Ministry of National Education with Decree Number 2802/D/T/2001 on August 30, 2001, the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FST) was established. Initially, FST consisted of four departments: Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Subsequently, a few years later, FST underwent further expansion by incorporating three new departments: Mining Science, Computer Science, and Architectural Engineering.

In that very year, following the Approval Decree of the Director-General of Higher Education from the Ministry of National Education with Number 194/0/2001 on December 28, 2001, the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) was established. FKM commenced with five departments: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Occupational Health and Environmental Health, Health Administration and Policy, Education and Health Behavior, and Public Health Nutrition.

In August 2001, Undana introduced its Postgraduate Program Strata 2 (S-2) offering three study programs: Livestock Development Management, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and Public Administration. Over time, additional study programs were established, including Law (2005), Linguistics (2008), Social Studies (2012), Livestock (S3) in 2012, Administration (S3) in 2013, Public Health (2013), and English Education (2013). During its development, some Strata 2 (S2) study programs underwent a change in codification. The Livestock Development Management Study Program was renamed to Animal Science, the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Study Program became Environmental Science, and the Public Administration Study Program transformed into Administrative Science.

Additionally, as per the Directive of the Directorate General of Higher Education (Dirjen Dikti) under the Ministry of National Education (Depdiknas) with Number 212/D/T/2008, dated July 11, 2008, pertaining to the Approval for the Establishment of a Medical Education Study Program (SI), and in accordance with the Rector of Nusa Cendana University's Decree Number 170/PP/2008, dated September 20, 2008, the Faculty of Medicine, abbreviated as FK, was officially established.

As of now, Undana offers a total of 1 (one) Postgraduate Program (PPs) and 11 (eleven) Faculties, which are as follows:

1. Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP),
2. Faculty of Animal Husbandry (Fapet)
3. Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP),
4. Faculty of Law (FH),
5. Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta),
6. Faculty of Science and Technology (FST),
7. Faculty of Public Health (FKM),
8. Faculty of Medicine (FK),
9. Faculty of Marrine Affairs and Fishery (FKP),
10. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH),
11. Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB)

The number of study programs comprises 2 Doctoral (S3) Programs, 8 Master's (S2) Programs, and 47 Bachelor's (SI) Programs.

At the institutional level, Undana went through developments, establishing a Research Institute that was formerly known as a Research Center and a Community Service Institute. Subsequently, a few years later, Undana expanded further by introducing the Learning Development and Development Institute (LP3) and the Quality Assurance and Internal Audit Institute (LPMAI). In July 2010, LPMAI underwent a name change and became the Higher Education Quality Assurance Institute (LPMPT).

LP3 has three centers namely

1. Centre of Curriculum Research and Development
2. Center for Education Training and Learning Evaluation
3. Center of Learning Media Design and Development.

The Research Unit comprises 15 Centers, namely:

1. Centre of Environmental Research
2. Centre of Demographic Research
3. Centre of Gender and Children Research
4. Centre of Dryland Research
5. Centre of Human Rights Research
6. Centre of Marine and Fishery Research
7. Centre of Tourism and Cultural Research
8. Centre of Timorese Cattle Research and Development
9. Centre for Australia and Pacific Studies,
10. Centre of Managerial Research
11. Centre of Research and Development of Tubers and Beans
12. Centre for Intelectual Rights
13. Arboretum Research and Development
14. Center for the Study of Local Political and Social Changes
15. Centre of Health and Medicine Studies

Meanwhile, the Community Service Institution has six centers, namely:

1. Centre of Innovation and Technological Application
2. Center for Regional Development and Supported Villages
3. Center for Job Opportunities and Career Development Information
4. Centre of Community Education and Services
5. Centre of Community Service Development
6. Centre of Legal Drafting

The Statute of Undana, as outlined in the Minister of National Education Regulation Number 2 of 2009, Article 7, defines the administrative structure of Undana. It consists of two bureaus: the Bureau of General Administration and Finance (BAUK) and the Bureau of Academic Administration, Student Affairs, Planning, and Information Systems (BAAKPSI). Each of these bureaus is headed by a Bureau Head who is accountable to the Rector while carrying out their responsibilities. The appointment and dismissal of both Bureau Heads are at the discretion of the Rector.

Meanwhile, from the technical aspect of academic support, four Technical Implementation Units (UPT) and their respective Centers have been established:

1. Centre for General Courses (MKU);
2. Centers for Teaching Internship (PPL);
3. Library;
4. Computer Centre;
5. Language Centre;
6. Integrated Research;
7. Health Clinic;
8. Integrated Field Laboratory for Centre of Excellence of Leading Dryland Technology; and Centre of Guidance and Counselling

On its 55th anniversary, Nusa Cendana University underwent a significant transformation from a Satker university to a Public Service Agency (BLU) university. This transformation was based on the Decree of the Minister of Finance Number 166/MKM.05/2017, which determined Nusa Cendana University, under the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, to be a government agency implementing the BLU financial management pattern on March 3, 2017.

The transition to BLU aligns with the second phase of Nusa Cendana University's roadmap for 2010 - 2025, which aims to enhance the autonomy and quality of higher education. This change is anticipated to bring about opportunities and challenges that will accelerate the advancement of Nusa Cendana University in enhancing the quality of education, research, and community service. The ultimate goal is to achieve the vision of becoming a "University with Global Insight."