University of Mataram Advances Inclusive Recruitment and Equal Access for Underrepresented Groups
The University of Mataram (Unram) has strengthened its commitment to inclusive higher education through institutional policies, accessible admission procedures, affirmative action programmes, and strategic partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups. Throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026, the university implemented initiatives to reduce barriers faced by persons with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and individuals from underserved communities.
These initiatives reflect Unram’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), particularly Indicator 10.6.3, which addresses planned institutional actions to recruit students, academic staff, and administrative personnel from underrepresented groups.
Institutional Commitment to Inclusive Education and Recruitment
A significant milestone in strengthening the university’s inclusion policy was the issuance of Rector’s Decree No. 5157/UN18/HK/2026 on 6 April 2026, concerning the University of Mataram’s Commitment to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The decree establishes the university’s commitment to providing inclusive, equitable, safe, and non-discriminatory higher education, regardless of disability, socioeconomic background, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other personal circumstances.
The policy explicitly commits Unram to expanding access to higher education and lifelong learning for disadvantaged communities, including individuals facing barriers to educational participation. It also guarantees equal employment opportunities, fair treatment, and protection against discrimination within the university. These institutional commitments provide a formal policy foundation for inclusive admission and recruitment practices, reinforcing the university’s responsibility to create equitable opportunities for prospective students, faculty members, and administrative personnel.
Developing Inclusive Admission Pathways for Students with Disabilities
One of Unram’s important initiatives was its partnership with the Indonesian Sign Language Centre in West Nusa Tenggara (Pusbisindo NTB). On 8 May 2025, the university signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement with Pusbisindo NTB to strengthen accessibility and promote inclusive higher education. As reported in Unram’s institutional cooperation initiative with Pusbisindo NTB, the university outlined several planned actions, including developing special admission pathways for prospective students with disabilities, improving accessible infrastructure, and preparing a disability service centre.
The university also announced plans to equip academic and administrative staff with sign-language skills to improve communication and learning support for students with hearing impairments. These initiatives demonstrate that Unram’s approach extends beyond general nondiscrimination principles toward the development of targeted measures intended to increase participation among students with disabilities.
Strengthening Staff Capacity and Accessibility Services
The university’s efforts to create an inclusive learning environment were already evident in March 2025. Through its sign-language training initiative, Unram facilitated training activities conducted by Pusbisindo NTB for members of the university community, including students, lecturers, and academic personnel. The programme aimed to strengthen communication accessibility and improve the university community’s capacity to interact with persons with hearing impairments.
This initiative was further developed through the May 2025 partnership, which included plans to expand sign-language training and strengthen institutional services for students with special educational needs. Such measures are important for inclusive recruitment because widening admission opportunities must be accompanied by adequate academic services, accessible communication, and a supportive learning environment.
Ensuring Accessible Admission Examinations
Unram continued to translate its inclusion commitments into practical admission arrangements during the 2026 Computer-Based Written Examination for the National Selection Based on Tests (UTBK-SNBT). According to the university’s official report on inclusive UTBK-SNBT 2026 implementation, a total of 14,581 candidates registered to take the examination at Unram, including five candidates with disabilities. The five candidates comprised two individuals with hearing impairments, one with visual impairment, and two with physical disabilities.
To accommodate their needs, Unram’s Academic Support Unit for Information and Communication Technology (UPA TIK) prepared special examination facilities and arranged assistance from examination personnel. These measures enabled candidates with disabilities to participate in the national university entrance examination under more accessible conditions. The university’s approach reflects the principle that equal educational opportunity requires not only open admission procedures but also reasonable accommodation to address barriers experienced by applicants with disabilities.
Expanding Access through Affirmative Admission and Scholarships
In addition to disability inclusion, Unram has taken measures to expand higher education opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged and geographically underserved backgrounds. The university’s 2025 Business and Budget Plan documents the implementation of an admission pathway for academically achieving students from low-income families, alongside scholarship and affirmative education initiatives.
These efforts are complemented by the national Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP Kuliah) programme and the Higher Education Affirmation Scholarship (ADik), which support eligible students facing financial or other structural barriers to higher education. Evidence of the university’s affirmative education efforts can also be seen in the experience of Christian Ellmy Siangsaleh Imbiri, a student from South Manokwari, West Papua, who entered Unram’s Law programme in 2025 through an affirmative scholarship pathway. His participation illustrates how affirmative scholarship opportunities can facilitate access to higher education for students from geographically distant and underserved regions.
The university also provides academic guidance to scholarship recipients. In November 2025, Unram organised an academic achievement development programme for KIP Kuliah recipients to strengthen academic performance, monitor progress, and support successful study completion. These initiatives demonstrate an approach to educational inclusion that combines access, financial assistance, and continued academic support.
Supporting Economically Disadvantaged Prospective Students
Unram’s commitment to equitable access was further demonstrated in June 2026 through direct institutional attention to a prospective student facing financial difficulties. Deswita Aulia Putri, who had been admitted to the English Education Study Programme through the National Selection Based on Achievement (SNBP), faced uncertainty about continuing her studies after she did not receive KIP Kuliah financial assistance.
In response, the university’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Sukardi, M.Pd., and the Director General of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Khairul Munadi, visited her residence in Mataram.
The institutional response to Deswita’s educational challenges highlights Unram’s attention to ensuring that financial difficulties do not unnecessarily prevent academically qualified students from pursuing higher education. This initiative complements the university’s broader affirmative admission and scholarship programmes.
Promoting Equal Opportunities for Academic and Administrative Staff
The university’s inclusion commitment also extends to its workforce. Rector’s Decree No. 5157/UN18/HK/2026 explicitly establishes equal employment opportunities and protection against workplace discrimination as institutional principles. These provisions are relevant to the recruitment and employment of academic faculty and administrative personnel, including individuals from underrepresented groups.
During the reporting period, Unram also participated in national discussions on public-sector recruitment and university human-resource governance. In June 2025, the university hosted a national coordination meeting on university staffing and governance, which included discussions on civil-service recruitment and human-resource management. While these activities demonstrate institutional engagement with employment governance, additional recruitment records are needed to document disability-specific or other targeted faculty and staff recruitment outcomes during the reporting period.
Advancing Sustainable Development through Inclusive Recruitment
The University of Mataram’s initiatives throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026 demonstrate an institutional approach to reducing inequalities in access to higher education. Through its formal SDGs commitment, planned disability-inclusive admission pathways, accessible entrance examinations, cooperation with disability-support organisations, affirmative scholarship programmes, and financial assistance for disadvantaged students, Unram has taken steps to expand educational opportunities for underrepresented groups.
These measures contribute to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) while supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By integrating inclusion into institutional policy, student admission, academic services, and employment principles, the University of Mataram continues to develop a higher education environment that values diversity, promotes equal opportunity, and supports the participation of individuals from different socioeconomic and personal backgrounds.