EduAsiaNews, Bandung – Sasana Budaya Ganesha in Bandung was noticeably more crowded than usual over the weekend of December 13–14, 2025. More than 23,000 prospective students, parents, and teachers from across the country attended ITB’s 2025 Education Open House. They came not merely to explore the campus, but to understand the new direction of higher education at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).
Under the theme “Together with ITB, Towards an Impactful Future,” this year’s Open House served as a platform to introduce ITB’s transformational admission system for the 2026 academic year. It was here that ITB officially launched the Outstanding Student Selection (Seleksi Siswa Unggul, SSU)—a new admission pathway designed to attract the best talent in a more inclusive manner.
Prof. Irwan Meilano, Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs at ITB, described this 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 identifying outstanding talents from across Indonesia—not only those who excel academically, but also those with character, competencies, and leadership potential,” said Irwan.
Starting in 2026, ITB’s undergraduate admissions will be organized into two main schemes: national and international. Under the national scheme, in addition to SNBP and SNBT, ITB introduces SSU as a repositioned independent selection pathway. Meanwhile, the international scheme continues through the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
The most significant change lies in the SSU. This pathway is designed not as a fee-based route, but as a merit-based selection emphasizing the recruitment of outstanding talents across diverse backgrounds. Achmad Syarief, Director of Student Admissions at ITB, emphasized that SSU is about opening fairer access.
“SSU is a merit-based pathway, not a financial one. We aim to provide opportunities for talents from across the archipelago—both academic and non-academic—to grow and thrive at ITB,” said Achmad.
SSU consists of two schemes. The non-test scheme targets academically outstanding students, national talents such as former participants of the National Science Olympiad, and achievements in arts, sports, culture, religion, and affirmative action for underdeveloped regions (3T areas). The regular test scheme involves the ITB AQ Test, with an additional drawing test for applicants to the Faculty of Art and Design and Architecture.
In addition to national admission updates, ITB has significantly expanded its international programs. By 2026, the number of IUP study programs will increase drastically from 8 to 27 programs. Through this scheme, students will study in English and gain opportunities for global mobility—from student exchanges and overseas study to dual-degree programs with international partner universities.
ITB also introduced the Bachelor–Master Integrated Program (PISM), allowing high-achieving students to complete both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in approximately five years. This pathway is efficient yet academically rigorous.
Through these policy initiatives, ITB reaffirms its position not merely as a leading technical university, but as an institution reshaping the way it identifies and develops future talents. Selection is no longer just about passing exams; it is about who is most prepared to make an impact.
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