The Jenderal Soedirman University is a public university located in Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia and was established on September 23, 1963. The university named after Jenderal Soedirman, the first commander-in-chief of the Indonesian Army during the country's fight for independence; he was born in the Banyumas region. UNSOED is the only public university in the ex-Banyumas residency. Thus affecting the student composition, from 25,782 of total active students in 2008, students from local Banyumas region accounted for almost 35% while the rest are from other regions in Indonesia as far as Sumatera and Sulawesi. About 5000 students enrolled at the university every year. To improve services for the students, UNSOED provided facilities and activities such as a students economic union, scholarships, medical services and medical infrastructure, life insurance, libraries, laboratory, student learning center, student activity center, web-based academic information system, academic infrastructure, arts and sports organizations and dormitory.
History
In the 1960s, the highest education facilities in Banyumas residency was senior high schools, includes general and vocational schools. Meanwhile, local Banyumas society became more interested in higher education; the lack of higher education institutions in the region meant that fresh high school graduates went outside the region if they wanted to get a degree. Hampered by the high cost of living outside the region, only students from wealthy families could afford it. This sparked the idea to establish a university in the region. The first step was the creation of agriculture faculty establishment board on February 10, 1961, followed by the establishment of Jenderal Soedirman University foundation on November 20, 1961. The faculty of agriculture was the first faculty — established on September 20, 1962 under cooperation with Diponegoro University. The faculty of agriculture was the precursor to establish Jenderal Soedirman University with more faculty and administration systems. On November 27, 1963 a ceremony was held in a Banyumas residential house to formally established the Jenderal Soedirman University. The official launching was conducted by the Minister of PTIP, Dr. Tojib Hadiwidjaja. This establishment was possible with aid from other institutions such as universities, PTIP Department, provincial government of Central Java and leaders of the Indonesian armed forces. When established, UNSOED had three faculties: Agriculture, Economics and Biology. Now it has eight faculties and postgraduate programmes, comprising 31 undergraduate programmes, nine master's degree programmes and 11 three-year diploma programs.
