Nurfika Osman – The University of Indonesia rejected on Friday accusations that it had favored potential students who were willing to contribute more to its coffers and denied others enrollment.
A group of students and alumni called Students' Concern for Education Movement (GMPP) has demanded the state-run university explain its policy to apply different tuition rates to different groups of students.
Since 2008, UI has had two types of enrollment, one through the central government-sanctioned national entrance test (SNMPTN) and one through UI's own selection test, the UMB.
Students who enroll through the UMB were charged additional fees for the school's education operational aid fund, known as the BOP. The GMPP said that regardless of test scores, students who donated more money to the fund were accepted to the prestigious university. Students who enroll through the SNMPTN are not required to donate to the fund.
"UI claims that the amount of BOP provided depends on how much the parents are willing or able to pay," GMPP spokesman Febriawan Rajab said. "When the movement first started there were only rumors of this occurring, but over time more and more students have come forward. This has not happened to just an unlucky few in the past."
UI spokesman Vishnu Juwono said the university had always been transparent in the implementation of the BOP policy.
The accusation "is not true because we have always helped students from low-income families in order for them to continue their study," Vishnu said. "We are implementing a just BOP to all students."
He added that the university's Web site contained all of its financial reports. Vishnu also denied reports of a crackdown by police and campus security on a GMPP demonstration held on UI's campus in Depok, West Java, on Wednesday.
Police reportedly tried to stop the rally, arguing that it disrupted an Independence Day celebration for employees and officials. Exchanges of words ensued between some 30 demonstrators and campus security that media reports say turned into a fight.
[Additional reporting Nivell Rayda.]