Universities in Sumatra, Indonesia, have largely resumed normal operations following devastating floods and landslides in late 2025 that claimed over 1,200 lives and caused widespread damage to infrastructure.
Sumatra Universities Resume Operations After Disasters
Director General of Science and Technology Ahmad Najib Burhani said Wednesday that most campuses were not directly impacted by the disasters, allowing academic activities to continue. Special attention is being given to affected students and their families, including tuition support and ensuring continuity of their studies.
“We are ensuring that universities are present to support not only during the emergency response phase but also throughout recovery and prevention,” Burhani said.
The higher education ministry has coordinated with universities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to assist with emergency response efforts, establish service posts, and expand disaster research programs as part of long-term recovery and mitigation strategies. By late December 2025, 28 universities had been designated as command posts, supported by an additional 61.
Authorities established 68 service centers offering psychosocial support and emergency education, and deployed 2,260 doctors, 1,267 healthcare workers, and 219 volunteers.
Burhani emphasized that financial aid for students and strengthened disaster research are crucial for building resilience within the higher education system.
The floods and landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall in November 2025, devastated the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. As of February 25, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported 1,207 deaths, damage to over 4,800 educational facilities, and the destruction of 300,000 homes.
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