A Brief History of UKRIDA

Krida Wacana Christian University (UKRIDA) was founded based on the decree of the Director-General of Higher Education Ministry of Education and Culture Republic of Indonesia No. 202/ DPT/I/1970 with 3 (three) Faculties:

1. Faculty of Medicine
2. Faculty of Engineering (majoring in Electrical)
3. Faculty of Economics (majoring in Business Economics)

The establishment of UKRIDA was an initiative endorsed by several Christian figures in Jakarta, including Prof. Dr. J.L.Ch. Abineno, Uripto Widjaja, Mrs. dr. Pouw Houw Tjiang, Mrs. J.M. Rumambi, dr. J. Suwarno, D. Sutedja, Swandjaja, Col. dr. F. Pattiasina, dr. O. E. Engelen, Priest C. Suleeman, and Priest Lukito Handoyo. They were called on to realize aspirations for providing higher education service, by founding a Christian higher education institution as part of a support for the developments of the nation and state of the Republic of Indonesia. The idea got full supports from Prof. Dr. Siwabessy (Minister of Health at that time) and Priest W.J. Rumambi (Minister of Information at that time), which was followed up by a proposal submission to the West Java Christian Education Board (BPK Jabar) for a review. West Java BPK warmly hailed the idea and passed it on to the Synod of West Java GKI who also gave a warm welcome, and made preparations for everything.

In its 23rd session on September 15, 1965, the West Java GKI’s Synod Council reached a decision to establish Universitas Kristen Djaja referred to by the acronym UKRIDA and assigned the West Java BPK to assume responsibility for its management. However, due to the country’s political situation at that time, the decision made by the Synod session could only be carried out on January 20, 1967, and UKRIDA made its first debut with the three faculties, i.e., Medicine, Engineering (majoring in Electrical), and Economics (majoring in Business Economics). The establishment of UKRIDA was based on the Decree of the Director-General of Higher Education Ministry of Education and Culture Number 202/DPT/I/1970. In its later development, the Faculty of Engineering set up the Department of Civil Engineering in 1978, and the Faculty of Economics launched the Department of Accounting in 1986.

Then, UKRIDA has continued with its steps to take up various challenges and obstacles, but as the initial lyrics of UKRIDA’s March saying ..... "Thanks to the love of God Almighty, UKRIDA stands.....", the management continue with their struggles while persevering in prayer, and believing in and only keeping alive hope for God's love.

In 1985, UKRIDA occupied its campus building on Jalan Tanjung Duren Raya, West Jakarta. Since there was a mandatory separation of elementary and secondary education management from higher education, UKRIDA, which was earlier under the management of West Java BPK, has in 1991 turned to the Krida Wacana Christian Higher Education Foundation. A change in the university name was also made on February 8, 1992, based on Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0106/0/1992. Universitas Kristen Djaja officially changed its name to Krida Wacana Christian University, by continuing to use the acronym UKRIDA. Krida Wacana has the meaning of “Work for God”, and it has become the "spirit" that encourages all UKRIDA's academicians to work even better. Additional new study programs were made in 1998 by launching Undergraduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Graduate Program in Management in 1999, and Undergraduate Programs in Informatics Engineering and in Psychology in 2002. Efforts are continuously made to improve the organization and to increase the capacity and quality of both academic and non-academic personnel in an attempt to achieve the visions set through the establishment of UKRIDA.

UKRIDA has again received the God's blessing with the inauguration of Campus II on Jalan Terusan Arjuna Utara No. 6, West Jakarta, on August 3, 2002, which is used for lectures of the Faculty of Medicine. Sincere gratitude to God is always expressed through the works which are based on the determination that today must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow must be better than today.

In 2009, the UKRIDA Faculty of Information Technology launched the undergraduate program in Information Systems, and in its later development in 2011, the Faculty of Engineering merged with the Faculty of Information Technology to become the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. In 2014 UKRIDA set up the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities offering an undergraduate program of study in English Letters. The effort was made to respond to the needs of people who have known more about UKRIDA.

As to reaffirm UKRIDA's strong commitment to developing the competence of its graduates, especially the Faculty of Medicine, UKRIDA has since 2015 been operating the Family Medical Center (FMC) Hospital located in Bogor Regency, as part of UKRIDA. In the next step, UKRIDA took over the Swakarsa Nursing Academy and the Notarial Deed suggests that it officially joined UKRIDA on June 13, 2019.

Since turning 50, UKRIDA has instilled a distinctive set of core values and culture known as LEAD: Loving, Enlightening, Advanced, and Determined. In essence, the LEAD values call upon all members of the academic community to embody love, bring enlightenment, strive for advancement, and demonstrate determination. Today, UKRIDA is proud to be recognized as one of the top private universities in Indonesia, having received ‘Excellent’ accreditation from BAN-PT in 2024.

UKRIDA continues to strive to realize its motto, namely LEAD to Impact, which means that UKRIDA is always committed to forming future leaders who will have an impact in transforming and building a better future for the nation.

In 2019, by the grace of God, UKRIDA opened a new study program, namely the Bachelor of Applied Science in Optometry program (the first and only one in Indonesia), offering both regular and bridging classes. After a long process and with God’s continuous blessings, UKRIDA Hospital, which is located adjacent to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences campus, was inaugurated on December 12, 2020. At the time of its opening, considering that the country was still facing the pandemic and in line with its motto “Healing with Care, Caring with Heart,” UKRIDA Hospital was entrusted as a referral hospital for COVID-19 patients. Today, it has become one of the facilities utilized and appreciated by both the Ukridian community and the surrounding society.

In 2025, UKRIDA officially obtained a license to establish the Professional Engineer Study Program (PSPPI) through the Decree of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Number 514/B/O/2025, which was presented by the Acting Head of LLDikti Region III, Tri Munanto, S.E., M.Ak.

UKRIDA's PSPPI was established as a strategic initiative to meet the growing demand for professional engineers in Indonesia while strengthening UKRIDA’s role as an adaptive and innovative higher education institution. The program focuses on mastery of technical competencies, ethical character development, environmental awareness, and the application of green engineering through an applied curriculum, field practice, and partnerships with industry.