EduAsiaNews, Bandung –Sasana Budaya Ganesha in Bandung was busier than usual over the weekend of December 13–14, 2025. More than 23,000 prospective students, parents, and teachers from across the country thronged the ITB Education Open House 2025. They came not merely to get to know the campus, but to grasp the new direction of higher education at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Carrying the theme “Together with ITB, Towards an Impactful Future,” this year’s Open House served as the stage for introducing the transformation of ITB’s admissions system for the 2026 academic year. It was here that ITB officially unveiled the Superior Student Selection (Seleksi Siswa Unggul/SSU)—a new admissions pathway designed to identify top talents in a more inclusive manner.
ITB Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Irwan Meilano, described the reform as a strategic step to ensure the sustainability of national leadership quality in the future. According to him, academic excellence alone is no longer sufficient.
“ITB is committed to recruiting outstanding talents from all corners of Indonesia—not only those who excel academically, but also those who possess strong character, competencies, and leadership potential,” Irwan said.
Starting in 2026, ITB’s admissions pathways will be divided into two major schemes: national and international. Under the national scheme, in addition to SNBP and SNBT, ITB has added SSU as a reoriented independent selection pathway. Meanwhile, the international scheme continues to be offered through the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
The most notable change lies in SSU. This pathway is designed not as a “paid” route, but as a merit-based track that emphasizes the identification of outstanding talents from diverse backgrounds. Achmad Syarief, Director of Student Admissions at ITB, stressed that SSU aims to broaden fair access.
“SSU is a merit pathway, not a financial one. We want to provide space for talents from across the archipelago—both academic and non-academic—to grow and develop at ITB,” Achmad said.
SSU consists of two schemes. The non-test scheme is intended for students with strong academic records, national talents such as former National Science Olympiad participants, as well as excellence in the arts, sports, culture, religious activities, and affirmative access for students from disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. The regular test scheme uses the ITB AQ Test, with an additional drawing test for applicants to the Faculty of Art and Design and Architecture.
Beyond reforming national admissions pathways, ITB has also significantly expanded its international programs. In 2026, the number of IUP study programs will increase sharply from 8 to 27 programs. Through this scheme, students will undertake courses delivered in English and gain opportunities for global mobility—ranging from student exchanges and overseas study to dual-degree programs with international partner universities.
Not stopping there, ITB also introduced the Integrated Bachelor–Master Program (Program Integrasi Sarjana–Magister/PISM). This program allows high-achieving undergraduate students to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in approximately five years—efficient, yet academically rigorous.
Through this series of policies, ITB underscores its position not only as a leading engineering university, but also as an institution reshaping the way future talents are identified and developed. Selection is no longer merely about who passes an exam, but about who is most ready to make an impact. (*)
