The impacted institutions include both public and private universities in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
In its statement in Jakarta, the ministry detailed that four public universities and 27 private universities in Aceh, nine public universities and six private universities in West Sumatra, and one public university and 13 private universities in North Sumatra were hit by the disaster.
A total of 21,911 academic community members, including lecturers, teaching staff, and students, were affected.
Initial assessments indicated extensive damage to higher education facilities. Classrooms, laboratories, and supporting buildings were either destroyed or inundated, computer equipment was damaged, and some campus buildings suffered cracks or collapsed entirely.
Access roads to several universities were cut off by landslides, while electricity and internet networks remained down in many locations. Detailed evaluation of infrastructure damage is ongoing in coordination with local governments.
The ministry stated that it has taken strategic steps to accelerate emergency response, including coordination with affected universities, local governments, the National Disaster Management Agency, and related institutions to identify urgent needs.
Emergency aid such as logistics, clean water, medicines, clothing, hygiene supplies, and psychosocial support has been distributed to students and academic staff.
Preparations for early recovery are also underway, including the revitalization of educational facilities and the provision of temporary learning spaces.
Support from universities outside the disaster zone has continued to arrive, ranging from volunteer and medical team deployment to the delivery of food supplies, trauma healing services, fundraising efforts, health facilities, and ambulance units.
Structural assistance for affected students, including tuition relief, KIP Scholarship assistance, living cost support, and psychological counseling, has also been provided.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan said the government allocated Rp75.99 billion to support students and lecturers affected by the floods and landslides in Sumatra.
The funding was conveyed during a working meeting with Commission X of the House of Representatives in Jakarta.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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