Sorong, as the second-largest and strategic city in West Papua, has its promising natural and human resources potentials. Likewise, the city continues to improve its essential life facilities and infrastructures. It includes the higher education sector, proven by the existence of several top campuses.
This article will highlight the higher education in Papua Island in general and continue with the list of best campuses in Sorong city.
Higher Education in West Papua
In 1962, West Papua witnessed the take-off of higher educational development through the pioneer establishment of Universitas Cenderawasih. As time passes by, through developments and changes in this sector, there are many good universities or institutes in this region today.
There are public and private higher education institutions that provide extensive academic fields of study. In addition to Universitas Cenderawasih, there are the University of Papua, University of Science and Technology Jayapura, Musamus Merauke University, and more.
7 Best Campuses in Sorong City
There are various higher education institutions in Sorong, ranging from polytechnics, academies, institutes, colleges to universities. The following are some of the most favorite campuses in this city, or more likely in West Papua.
Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong (UM-Sorong)
Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong, commonly abbreviated as UM-Sorong or UMS, is one of private universities in Sorong city. The Muhammadiyah Society (Persyarikatan Muhammadiyah) manages this school.
It was a college (Institute of Public Administration) at first, namely Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Administrasi Negara (STIA) Al Amin Sorong. In 2013, it became Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong.
This campus provides seven faculties with over twelve study programs. Also, it plays an active role in creating innovation at the national level.
Victory University (UNVIC) Sorong
UNVIC is another private university you can find in Sorong city. It was founded on June 5 1992 as Victory Management Academy. In 2000, it changed to Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi (STIE) Victory Sorong, an institute for economics with three study programs of Accounting, Management, and Economic Development.
It became a university in 2008 with five faculties of bachelor’s degrees and eleven study programs. Today, UNVIC has six faculties, namely Economics and Business, Computer Science, Social Science and Politics, Law, Agriculture and Environment, and Teacher Training and Education.
Christian University of Papua (UKIP)
Another private university in West Papua, UKIP (or UKiP) was established in 2004 under the management of the Foundation of Christian University of Papua (YUKIP).
UKIP has the objective to become a research and community service institution. It has the goal to create excellent and independent human resources to support the nation’s development.
UKIP has five faculties of Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture, Law, Management Economy, and Theology.
STIE Bukit Zaitun Sorong
Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi (STIE) Bukit Zaitun Sorong – STIE Bukit Zaitun Sorong – is a college or an institute for economics with its known tagline, “The Leading Educator Campus.”
As the name implies, this campus offers excellent or leading study programs in economics. Three bachelor’s degree study programs are Accounting, Management, and Development Economics. Also, the Taxation study program and Finance and Banking study program are for diploma degrees.
Established in 2004, this campus has its reference to the Indonesian National Qualification Framework curriculum. The aim is to produce competent graduates, particularly in the industrial world.
Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Sorong
IAIN Sorong, the State Islamic Institute, is a state institution of higher education on Islamic science. Once called STAIN, it obtained its latest status as an institute in 2020.
This campus has a motto of “Harmony and Productivity”. Supported by a team of reliable educators and experts in their fields, IAIN Sorong offers three faculties or majors (seven undergraduate study programs and one post-graduate study program).
College of Health Sciences (STIKES) Papua Sorong
STIKES Papua Sorong is one of the higher education institutions in West Papua that focuses more on the health sciences. This campus provides five courses:
- Three undergraduate study programs, including Nursing Science, Public Health, and Pharmacy.
- A professional program of Ners Profession.
- A diploma III of Health Analysis program.
UNIMUDA Sorong
Muhammadiyah Education University (UNIMUDA) Sorong commits to provide the best education for students of the Indonesian easternmost region. This campus provides about twenty-one study programs under three majors – Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, and Faculty of Social Science and Humanities.
That concludes several higher education institutions in Sorong city. They represent the commitment of West Papua in providing and improving the educational sector in this region. They share a similar long-term vision of nurturing the youths and contributing to future human resources development.
