Newly inaugurated Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto has promised that the single tuition fees (UKT) in state universities will not increase, despite the ongoing budget efficiency measures imposed by President Prabowo Subianto.

He told university rectors and heads of Higher Education Service Institutions (LLDikti) in a meeting on Thursday that they had to clearly inform students there was no plan to raise tuition fees.

“We must avoid any miscommunication. This is crucial to prevent unnecessary concerns among students,” the minister said in a statement issued on Friday.

He added that the ministry would continue allocating funds for the Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP-K) scholarship, asserting no funds earmarked for the program would be cut amid the government-wide budget efficiency order.

“With transparency and unity, I encourage all stakeholders to work together and contribute ideas for advancing the higher education sector in Indonesia,” Brian said.

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At Thursday’s meeting, rectors also shared their suggestions on maintaining and improving the quality of services for lecturers and students.

President Prabowo inaugurated Brian as the new higher education minister on Thursday to replace his predecessor Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro.

The previous minister had gotten in hot water in the past months as a result of controversies around the sudden dismissal of a ministry employee, which has since been reversed, and the disbursement of incentives for university lecturers whose status are civil servants. (kuk)