The Purworejo Regency Government has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing an Off-Main-Campus Study Program (PSDKU) of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) by strengthening strategic collaboration focused on developing a new campus in the region.
The commitment was emphasized during a follow-up working visit on the planned establishment of a UNY campus in Purworejo, held at the Regent’s Office on Tuesday (April 14, 2026). The meeting marked a continuation of previous synergy between UNY and the Purworejo Government in advancing education, research, and community empowerment.
Purworejo Regent Hj. Yuli Hastuti, S.H., expressed the local government’s full readiness to support the campus development as part of efforts to enhance human resource quality. “We are fully committed to supporting this initiative. The presence of this campus is expected to expand access to higher education and improve community welfare,” she said.
As a concrete step, the Purworejo Government has proposed three strategic locations: the former Kutoarjo Training Center (1,876 square meters), the former Purwodadi Kawedanan complex (2.3 hectares), and Wero Village in Ngombol Subdistrict (9.9 hectares), located near Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA). The delegation also had the opportunity to review all proposed sites.
UNY Rector Prof. Sumaryanto emphasized that campus development will begin with an exploratory study to ensure that the study programs align with local needs and regional potential. “We want to ensure that the programs offered truly match the needs of the community and the region’s potential. Therefore, an exploratory study is a crucial first step,” he stated. He also noted that UNY welcomes the involvement of the local government in recommending academic and administrative personnel to support campus operations.
UNY is also planning to develop study programs in health, sports, arts, and economics, including the establishment of a teaching hospital to strengthen health education, which requires at least one hectare of land. This development will be supported by feasibility studies, joint research, and cross-sector collaboration to enhance human resource capacity.
Purworejo Vice Regent Dion Agasi Setiabudi, S.I.Kom., M.Si., highlighted that education is the core of the region’s development. “The Purworejo Government fully supports this initiative. We hope this campus will become a new economic driver, especially in the southern region,” he said. Both parties agreed to conduct an exploratory study on community interest and continue technical coordination to accelerate the project’s realization.
During the discussion, Chairman of the UNY Board of Trustees Prof. Suyanto emphasized the importance of public outreach to ensure smooth implementation. He also warned about potential land price increases due to speculation. While concerns have been raised by local higher education institutions regarding increased competition, these dynamics are seen as part of building a more competitive and high-quality education ecosystem.
Through the synergy between UNY and the Purworejo Government, the PSDKU campus is expected not only to serve as a new education hub but also as a driver of regional development. With strong support from various stakeholders, Purworejo has the potential to become a key center for education and human resource development in southern Java.
This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), through strategic collaboration between higher education institutions and local government to promote knowledge-based development.
