As a leading institution for education and social transformation in Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has consistently pioneered comprehensive efforts to empower women. Rooted in a vision of equal access for all, UNNES has institutionalized a range of programs, policies, and funding mechanisms to ensure that women are not only welcomed but also supported to excel throughout their academic journey.
UNNES demonstrates firm commitment to advancing gender equality through systematic rules, dedicated programs, and educational support systems. This framework aligns with Indonesia’s national vision for education and SDG 5 for gender equality. UNNES strongly commits to ensure that women are treated not just as participants, but as central actors in their own academic and professional development.
The university’s administration regularly evaluates and strengthens its approach, creating spaces for women to lead, connect, and thrive within campus life. These efforts reflect UNNES’s belief that women are invaluable assets to the academic community and contributors to a more equitable society.
Targeted Scholarships for Female Students
UNNES actively provides scholarships that cater to various needs—including some designed explicitly to support women. For instance:
1. Cakrawala Muda from the Engineering Faculty
This scholarship, opened in 2025, specifically prioritizes female students in the Faculty of Engineering. The faculty has awarded scholarships to eight students, most of whom are women. The total scholarship amount awarded is IDR 15,200,000, with each student receiving IDR 1,900,000. Students awarded scholarships are from underprivileged families but have demonstrated academic achievement. This year, the scholarships are awarded to 8 students.
2. UNNES General Scholarships
While open to all, these competitive scholarships help ensure that capable young women from various backgrounds can access higher education and pursue their talents without financial obstacles. Based on 2025 data, the recipients of the scholarships are predominantly female students, comprising 6670, or 73.17%.
3. Institutional Support
Support is provided in the form of tuition fee relief and installment options. Female students also dominate the program’s recipients, comprising 67.43% of all recipients, or 6864 out of 3215. The target of this assistance is high-achieving students from underprivileged families. In 2025, the support is legalized through the Circular Letter No. B/24820/UN37/KU.00.00/2025 of the tuition fee that also comprises tuition fee relief and installment options.
4. Alumni Scholarships
Each faculty’s alumni provide scholarships for students from their previous faculty. For instance, the Alumni Association (IKA) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the continuity of student education by awarding scholarships to 10 students with high academic achievements from underprivileged families in 2025.
Focused Mentoring and Training
Beyond financial support, UNNES organizes a variety of mentoring and training sessions dedicated to women’s empowerment:
- Mentoring programs
Female students connect with experienced mentors, including faculty, alumni, and external professionals, who guide them through academic challenges, leadership opportunities, and career planning. This targeted support system helps build confidence, foster networks, and address unique barriers women may face in higher education environments. Each faculty at UNNES is required to have this type of program in their annual agenda. - Workshops and Seminars
Through its collaboration with faculty organizations and women’s organizations on campus, UNNES regularly delivers seminars on gender equality, leadership, and professional skills. Recent events, such as mental health seminars conducted by the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) UNNES in 2025, are designed to address both the psychological well-being and career advancement of women students. - Community Engagement Initiatives
Women at UNNES are encouraged to participate in outreach programs, student government, and research initiatives that involve advocacy and service for gender-sensitive causes. Female students are encouraged to become leaders in the programs. The Community Service Program at UNNES facilitates these programs annually, providing students with community experience, which is a requirement for some scholarships.
