Govt to acquire private universities

The Jakarta Post | Sat, 01/16/2010 9:14 PM | National

At least four private universities in West Java will change their status to state institutions, Antara state news agency has reported.

“In March or April a number of private universities will sign a change of their status, including four in West Java,” Governor Ahmad Heryawan said in his speech at the inauguration of new graduates from Swadaya Gunung Jati University (Unswagati) in Cirebon on Saturday.

He added that Unswagati, Siliwangi University in Tasikmalaya, Singaperbangsa University in Karawang and an unidentified university in Sukabumi would be among the private universities that would be acquired by the government.

The West Java government will cover the operation of the new state universities and other expenses resulting from the change of status.

Ahmad said his administration had allocated funds from the 2010 regional budget to buy 30 hectares of land needed to build a new campus for Unswagati in Cirebon.