KPK survey finds thesis ghostwriting at 91% of Indonesian universities

In its 2026 Education Integrity Assessment, Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission uncovered widespread thesis ghostwriting, with 43% of university respondents confirming the practice and its occurrence reported at 91% of the surveyed institutions. Acting deputy for education and public participation Dian Novianthi described the finding as a key issue within the survey’s ecosystem dimension. The study covered 1,090 universities and gathered responses from students in later semesters, as well as from teachers and administrators.

Alongside ghostwriting, the KPK examined broader academic conduct, noting high prevalence of plagiarism and exam cheating across institutions, though specific percentages for those were omitted per verification constraints. The survey also produced scores for three dimensions: character (74.24), ecosystem (75.08) and governance (70.67). Data collection employed online questionnaires, CAWI and CAPI methods to reach participants nationwide.