For a century, the Faculty of Law (FH) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) has contributed to the progress of the nation by producing graduates who excel in academics and legal practice. Many prominent figures in the field of Indonesian law were born from this faculty. Some of them are Prof. Dr. Yusril Ihza Mahendra, M.Sc., Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction of the Republic of Indonesia; Prof. Dr. Todung Mulya Lubis., S.H., LL.M., Indonesian Ambassador to Norway (2018-2023); Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie., S.H., Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (2003-2008); and Prof. Hikmahanto Juwana., S.H., LL.M., Ph.D., Rector of Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani. As a pioneer of higher legal education in Indonesia, FHUI’s excellence is internationally recognized, as evidenced by its achievement of the 201–250 world ranking according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) 2024 by Subject and the 151–200 world ranking according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) WUR by Subject 2024. At the peak of the celebration of FHUI’s 100th Anniversary which took place at Balai Sidang UI on Monday, October 28, Acting Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dedi Priadi, DEA, appreciated FHUI’s success in maintaining its position as the top law school in Indonesia. According to him, this achievement is the result of the dedication of all academics and alumni who continue to strive to maintain UI’s position on the global stage.
In the celebration, FHUI presented a prominent legal thinker from the Netherlands, Rogier Chorus, who discussed the thoughts of Paul Scholten, the first dean of Rechtshoogeschool te Batavia—the predecessor of FHUI. Scholten is seen as a thinker who emphasized law as a science of life that is closely related to social and cultural contexts. His philosophy is still the basis of legal education at FHUI today, making this faculty a leading center for legal education in Southeast Asia.
To mark the long history of legal education in Indonesia, FHUI launched the book 100 Tahun Pendidikan Tinggi Hukum di Indonesia (100 Years of Higher Legal Education in Indonesia), written by 19 prominent legal figures. This book discusses the contributions of academics, practitioners, and activists who fight for social justice, the environment, and human rights. In addition, this commemoration was also marked by the launch of a special edition stamp for 100 years of FHUI initiated by FHUI alumni of the 1972 class.
In the series of events, the Dharma Justicia Award was given to alumni who made major contributions to legal education in Indonesia, such as Prof. Dr. Mr. R. Soepomo, Prof. Mr. Djokosoetono, S.H., Prof. Dr. H. Adnan Buyung Nasution, S.H., LL.M., and Prof. Erman Rajagukguk, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D. This award includes a statue of Prof. Soepomo in the Integrated Laboratory and Research Center (ILRC) building of FHUI as a tribute to his services in formulating the legal basis of the state. Several scholarship institutions were also established, such as the Djokosoetono Scholarship for outstanding students and Bang Buyung Grace which supports community service programs.
The Dean of FHUI, Dr. Parulian Paidi Aritonang, stated that this achievement is part of the faculty’s commitment to producing legal leaders with integrity who are ready to face future challenges. He invited all parties to make this 100th anniversary a foothold in developing legal education that integrates theory, practice, and the spirit of justice. As part of Universitas Indonesia, FHUI supports the campus’ vision to become an inclusive, tolerant, superior, and independent university, which focuses on developing social justice and high-quality education for all levels of society.
