Rector of Palangka Raya University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Salampak, M.S, on Friday, May 5, 2023 attended the launching of the State University Student Self Selection Program (SMM PTN) for the western region at the Century Athlete Hotel, Senayan, Jakarta. This activity was attended by all rectors or elements of higher education leaders who are members of the Indonesian State Universities Cooperation Agency for the Western Region (BKS-PTN Barat), totaling 25 state universities, both under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).
The purpose of this joint independent selection is to build a quality selection model, so that a professional, guaranteed, measurable, and efficient selection system and mechanism are formed. The implementation of SMM PTN West itself has been going on since 2017 and there are dynamics every year regarding the participation of PTNs in it. This year, the Independent Selection is joined by 25 state universities, just like in the previous year.
Representing the Director General of Higher Education, Plt. The Secretary of the Directorate General of Higher Education, Prof. Tjitjik Sri Tjahjandarie, Ph.D, stated that the independent route has been in the spotlight due to a case last year. Prof. Tjitjik, however, said that Independent Selection is now getting better due to improved regulations. Likewise, the decision was the participation of 25 PTNs so it was not the Rector’s decision alone. “I hope that the 2023 PTN-West SMM will pay close attention to Permendikbud No. 48 of 2022, so that it becomes a quality and transparent selection, so that later it will produce a better selection and support the improvement of the quality of national education that is equal and inclusive.”
The Chairman of BKS PTN-West 2023, Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si, who is also the rector of the University of North Sumatra (USU), said that the implementation of SMM PTN-West 2023 is a process that has been going on since 2017. The implementation of the PTN-West SMM is carried out jointly to fulfill efficiency and carry out statutory regulations. “This year we are improving the governance of SMM PTN 2023 by inviting various parties, so that the implementation and quality assurance of SMM PTN West 2023 is getting better”. Furthermore, Prof. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si, said that the legality of 25 state universities that are members of the BKS PTN-West 2023 is based on the Decree of the Chairman of BKS-PTN Barat No.23-05/BKS PTN-West/III/2023 dated March 17, 2023 concerning PTN Participants in the SMM PTN-West 2023 program. The 25 PTNs are spread across the Western part of Java Island, Sumatra Island and the Western part of Kalimantan Island.
Chairperson of SMM PTN-West 2023, Prof. Marwan said that the existence and implementation of SMM PTN-West 2023 is an option for prospective students who have not successfully passed the previous two national selections. Prof. Marwan, who is also the Rector of Syiah Kuala University (USK), said that in the SMM PTN Barat 2023, prospective students have two choices of study programs from state universities that are incorporated.

For information, the 25 state universities that are members of SMM PTN-West 2023 are :

1. Syiah Kuala University (USK), Banda Aceh.
2. University of Riau (Unri), Pekanbaru, Riau.
3. Universita Jambi (Unja), Jambi.
4. Bengkulu University (Unib), Bengkulu.
5. University of Andalas (Unand), Padang, West Sumatra.
6. Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Padangpanjang, West Sumatra.
7. University of Palangka Raya (UPR), Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.
8. Malikussaleh University (Unimal), North Aceh, Aceh.
9. Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University (Untirta), Serang, Banten.
10. State Islamic University (UIN), Syarif Hidayatullah, Tangsel, Banten.
11. Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH), Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands.
12. University of Bangka Belitung (UBB), Pangkalpinang, Babel
13. Teuku Umar University (UTU), Meulaboh, Aceh.
14. Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA), Lampung.
15. Universitas Samudra (Unsam), Langsa, Aceh.
16. Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia (ISBI), Jantho, Aceh.
17. Siliwangi University (Unsil), Tasikmalaya, West Java.
18. Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University (UIN), Pekanbaru, Riau
19. Mahmud Yunus State Islamic University (UIN), Batusangkar, West Sumatera
20. University of North Sumatra (USU), Medan, North Sumatra
21. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Bandung, West Java
22. Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran, (UPNV), Jakarta
23. Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia (ISBI) Bandung, West Java
24. State Islamic University (UIN) Sheikh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary, Padangsidimpuan, North Sumatra.
25. Singaperbangsa University of Karawang (Unsika), Karawang, West Java.