Government Regulation Confirms PTN-BH Status for Udayana University
Government Regulation No. 35 of 2026, signed on 11 August 2026, confirms Udayana University’s shift to state university with legal-entity (PTN-BH) status, expanding autonomy in governance, finance and academic affairs for Bali’s leading…
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· Event date: · 3 min read Updated
Denpasar — Udayana University has officially obtained the status of a state university with legal-entity status (Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum, or PTN-BH) based on Government Regulation (Peraturan Pemerintah) No. 35 of 2026 on the State University with Legal Entity Udayana University, signed by President Prabowo Subianto on 11 August 2026 according to multiple Indonesian media reports.
The regulation places Bali’s main public university among Indonesia’s PTN-BH institutions, a category that grants broader autonomy in governance, finance and academic affairs under national higher education law.
Legal basis and timeline
According to national and local news coverage, Udayana University’s new status is formally established by Government Regulation No. 35 of 2026 concerning the State University with Legal Entity Udayana University.
The regulation was signed by President Prabowo Subianto on 11 August 2026, marking the legal change from Udayana’s previous status as a state university with public service agency status (PTN-BLU).
Media reports state that a copy of PP No. 35/2026 was handed over to Udayana University by the Ministry of Education in Jakarta, with some outlets reporting the handover took place on 1 September 2026 and was publicly reported on 2–3 September.
Udayana’s own English-language homepage describes the “Transformation of Udayana University as a State-Owned Legal Entity (PTN BH)” as part of its institutional development, reflecting the shift to PTN-BH status.
From planned transformation to confirmed status
Udayana University had been preparing for PTN-BH status for several years. Rector’s regulations and performance reports describe a multi-year transformation plan and note that the university previously operated as a PTN-BLU.
Internal planning documents explain that the move to PTN-BH was pursued to increase institutional independence, improve financial viability and strengthen governance in line with Indonesia’s Higher Education Law (Law No. 12 of 2012).
These reports also detail the procedural steps leading up to the government regulation, including approval of Udayana’s PTN-BH proposal by the Director General of Higher Education on 5 February 2025 and subsequent inter-ministerial drafting and harmonisation of the regulation.
What PTN-BH status means
PTN-BH is defined in Indonesian law as a state university established by the government that has the status of an autonomous public legal entity.
Analyses of Udayana’s transformation explain that, with PTN-BH status, the university can set policies more independently, manage its finances and assets with greater flexibility, open or close study programs and faculties, and enter cooperation agreements more easily with government, industry and other institutions, while remaining accountable to public oversight.
National education news reports similarly note that PTN-BH status gives Udayana broader autonomy than under its previous PTN-BLU status, including greater freedom in financial management and the ability to open new study programs independently.
At the same time, local coverage emphasises that Udayana’s institutional accreditation remains at the “Unggul” (Excellent) level through December 2026, and that the university is expected to maintain affordability for students despite the change in legal status.
Implications for Bali’s higher education sector
By joining the list of 25 Indonesian universities with PTN-BH status, Udayana becomes the first campus in Bali to hold this level of autonomy.
Education-focused reports highlight that the new status is intended to strengthen Udayana’s role as a competitive research and teaching institution, with more room to develop partnerships and manage academic programs in response to regional and national needs.
Udayana’s own communications frame the transformation as a way to improve efficiency, service quality and performance, positioning the university as a globally competitive institution while aligning with national policy on autonomous universities.
Sources
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