UMS Student Introduces Blockchain Innovation to Widen Higher Education Access

An innovative idea on the use of blockchain technology to improve access to higher education in Indonesia has once again drawn attention. The concept is considered capable of creating a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable education system, thereby widening opportunities for the public to pursue higher education.

The idea was developed by Binugraheni Indah Budiyati, a student of the Development Economics program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS). She views education as a key driver for improving people’s quality of life and strengthening national competitiveness.

“Blockchain is not merely a financial technology, but can also be applied to support education policy,” Binugraheni said when met on Wednesday (7/1/2026).

The technology, she explained, enables the creation of academic data and education financing record systems that are more transparent, secure, and openly verifiable. According to her, this approach can reduce various barriers, ranging from unequal access to information and administrative limitations to issues of trust in the management of educational assistance.

“I hope this blockchain-based system can assist the government, universities, and the public in realizing more efficient education governance,” she said.

Binugraheni also linked the idea to the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. Broader access to education, she noted, will have a direct impact on improving the quality of human resources.

She then developed this innovative idea into an essay submitted to the Airlangga Pioneer National Essay Competition, organized by Universitas Airlangga. The event is a national-level essay competition involving students from various universities across Indonesia, with a focus on education and policy issues. The winners were announced on 20 December 2025.

Following a rigorous selection process, Binugraheni’s essay emerged as first place winner. This achievement further positioned UMS as a university that consistently produces high-achieving students with strategic ideas for national development.

Binugraheni expressed her gratitude for the result. She said the national recognition has motivated her to continue sharpening her critical thinking and writing skills.

“I’m very happy and increasingly confident to keep contributing through ideas,” she said.

During the drafting process, she conducted in-depth research on blockchain technology and the landscape of higher education in Indonesia. Discussions with lecturers and peers at UMS also helped sharpen her perspective and develop more systematic arguments.

As a Development Economics student, she views education as a crucial form of long-term investment to improve the quality of human resources. Therefore, the interconnection between policy, economics, and education cannot be separated in formulating effective solutions.

Looking ahead, Binugraheni hopes that ideas related to the application of blockchain technology in the education sector can continue to be developed and gradually implemented.

“I want to keep writing and contributing to issues of education and public policy. Hopefully, this idea can become part of Indonesia’s education transformation,” she concluded.

Writer: Yusuf Ismail

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid