Universitas Trisakti is the only private university in Indonesia established by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on November 29, 1965, through the Decree of the Minister of Higher Education and Science (PTIP) No. 014/dar of 1965, signed by Dr. Sjarif Thajeb. This date was later designated as the founding day of Universitas Trisakti.

The birth of Universitas Trisakti began with the destruction of Respublika University by a mass group in 1965, as it was accused of being involved in the Indonesian Communist Party movement in September 1965. From the remnants of Respublika, Universitas Trisakti was established.

The name “Trisakti” was given by Dr. Ir. Soekarno, the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the time. The term “Trisakti” is derived from one of Soekarno’s speeches, which means sovereignty in politics, self-reliance in the economy, and having a distinct cultural identity. These principles have become the foundation of Universitas Trisakti’s efforts to contribute to the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social sensitivity development of the nation’s youth, as well as fostering environmental awareness.

At its inception, Universitas Trisakti had five faculties: the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, and Faculty of Engineering, which included four departments: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Architecture.

Today, Universitas Trisakti has expanded to nine faculties: Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Planning, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Faculty of Earth Technology and Energy, Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, and Faculty of Arts and Design. It offers 23 undergraduate programs, 1 diploma IV program, and 4 diploma III programs. Additionally, there is a postgraduate program offering 14 master’s degrees and 5 doctoral programs.

Throughout its history, Universitas Trisakti has experienced many significant events, the most monumental being the May 12, 1998 Tragedy, in which four Universitas Trisakti students were killed. Their deaths became a catalyst for the Indonesian student movement that ultimately led to the downfall of the New Order regime and is regarded as the beginning of Indonesia’s Reform Era. This event is especially significant as it marked the collapse of a government that had held power for over 32 years.

Since then, Universitas Trisakti has been known as the “Campus of Reform Heroes” and is committed to standing at the forefront in upholding the banners of reform, grounded in the ideals of nationalism, democracy, and human rights (Kadeham).

Seven years after the tragedy, in 2005, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, awarded the “Bintang Jasa Pratama” honor through Presidential Decree No. 057/TK/2005 dated August 9, 2005, to the four fallen students as Reform Fighters for their contribution to the country’s democratic future.

The Rectors who have led and developed Universitas Trisakti are:

• 1965 – 1972: Drs. MA Siswadji (Presidium)
• 1972 – 1976: Drs. MA Siswadji
• 1976 – 1980: Ir. Poedjono Hardjoprakoso
• 1980 – 1988: Prof. Dr. Ir. P. Haryasudirja
• 1988 – 1990: Ir. Hartono Kadri
• 1990 – 1994: H. Mulyatno Sindhudarmoko, SE
• 1994 – 1998: Prof. Dr. R. Moedanton Moertedjo
• 1998 – 2016: Prof. Dr. Thoby Mutis
• 2016 – 2021: Prof. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, MSc, PhD
• 2021 – Present: Prof. Dr. Ir. Kadarsah Suryadi, DEA