Universitas Nasional

Envision a university forged in the fires of independence. Universitas Nasional, or UNAS, stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indonesian scholars. Right here, on October 15, 1949, a group of visionaries, including figures like Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana and Sarwono Prawirohardjo, established the National Academy. This academy, later renamed Universitas Nasional, was born out of a need. Many Indonesian high school graduates refused to attend the Dutch colonial Universiteit van Indonesie. The founders of UNAS provided an alternative, a beacon of national pride during the Indonesian war of independence. Initially, the institution offered five faculties: Social Studies, Economics and Politics, Biology, Mathematics and Physics, Letters, and English Literature. The term “academy” was deliberately chosen to avoid colonial connotations. Later, on September 1, 1954, the National Academy officially became Universitas Nasional. President Sukarno, recognizing UNAS’s contribution to the struggle for independence, bestowed upon it the title “University of Struggle” (Universitas Perjuangan). Universitas Nasional’s main campus is in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. It also boasts the Bambu Kuning campus, serving as a laboratory, and the UNAS Tower, focusing primarily on graduate studies. Universitas Nasional has grown significantly since its inception. It now encompasses a wide array of faculties, including Social Science and Political Science, Economics and Business, Language and Literature, Law, Engineering and Sciences, Biology, Health Sciences, Agriculture, and Information and Technology. From its humble beginnings as a symbol of resistance, Universitas Nasional has blossomed into a respected institution, shaping generations of Indonesian thinkers and leaders.