Fact Check: Did Indonesia's UGM Rector Resign Over Jokowi's Diploma Ruling?

August 12, 2026 | 07:55 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Various social media posts claim that the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Professor Ova Emilia, has resigned from her position. Reports suggest that Ova resigned after acknowledging that former Indonesian President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) diploma was fake.

This content has circulated on YouTube [archive], Facebook, and TikTok since the first week of August 2026. The circulating narrative states that Ova stepped down after the Administrative Court (PTUN) rejected UGM's appeal. The PTUN upheld a ruling by the Central Information Commission (KIP) from March 10, 2026, which declared that copies of Jokowi's diploma and academic transcripts constituted public information.

Did Ova Emilia actually resign after declaring Jokowi's diploma fake?

FACT CHECK

Tempo verified the content by comparing its narrative against credible sources. The findings confirm that the Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) did indeed reject UGM's appeal regarding the ruling by the Public Information Commission (KIP). However, Ova Emilia has neither resigned nor declared Jokowi's diploma to be fake. As of the publication of this article, Ova remains the active Rector of UGM.

Citing Radar Purworejo, Ova attended the inauguration of the Kalitalang ecotourism area in Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The ecotourism area is the result of a collaboration between the Astra Honda Motor Foundation, UGM, and the Klaten Regency Government through the Thematic Student Community Service (KKN Tematik) program.

The ecotourism area is the result of a collaboration between the Astra Honda Motor Foundation, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and the Klaten Regency Government through the Thematic Student Community Service (KKN) program.

Administrative Court Ruling on Jokowi’s Academic Documents

The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) rejected the appeal filed by UGM. In a ruling read on July 30, 2026, the panel of judges upheld the decision of the Public Information Commission (KIP), affirming that copies of the diploma and academic transcripts of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo, constitute information open to the public.

This information dispute originated from a request by a civic group named Bongkar Ijazah Jokowi (Bonjowi)—meaning "Expose Jokowi's Diploma"—which questioned the authenticity of the bachelor's degree diploma issued to Jokowi by UGM. They initiated the dispute to compel UGM to disclose Jokowi's academic documents.

On March 10, 2026, the KIP partially granted Bonjowi's claim. Of the eight types of information requested, the KIP panel ruled that seven could be disclosed in part, provided they did not contain academic grades or the personal data of other parties. The request for the original diploma document was not granted.

The documents declared open for partial disclosure included copies of the diploma, academic transcripts, Study Plan Cards (KRS), Study Result Cards (KHS), Student Community Service (KKN) reports, the undergraduate thesis, supervisor assignment letters, examination minutes, graduation eligibility decrees, proof of graduation registration, and the graduation yearbook.

UGM had previously appealed to the PTUN, having refused to disclose the documents on the grounds of compliance with Law Number 27 of 2022 concerning Personal Data Protection (PDP Law).

Official Statement from UGM

In a statement released via UGM’s YouTube channel on August 22, 2025, Ova Emilia confirmed that Jokowi is an official UGM graduate who has held the genuine diploma since it was presented at his 1985 graduation ceremony. "We possess evidence and data confirming that Mr. Joko Widodo is an official graduate of Universitas Gadjah Mada and that the proof of his graduation was duly issued to him," Ova stated.

Ova added that UGM had compiled Jokowi’s complete academic records—spanning from his initial enrollment and selection results to his graduation—and had submitted these documents to the police for legal proceedings.

On the same occasion, UGM Vice-Rector Professor Wening Udasmoro explained that the university could not arbitrarily disclose alumni's personal data to the public, as it is bound by personal data protection regulations. "We would release the information if the request came from the state—acting as the competent authority with the mandate to inquire of educational institutions," Wening said.

CONCLUSION

Tempo’s verification concludes that the narrative claiming UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia resigned and declared Jokowi’s bachelor’s degree diploma to be fake is false.

TEMPO FACT CHECK TEAM

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