The University of Bengkulu (UNIB), a state university in Bengkulu Province, was established based on the Republic of Indonesia Presidential Instruction Number 17, 1982, and inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Daud Yusuf. At the same moment, the first UNIB rector, Prof. Ir. Soenjoto Sumodihardjo (University of Gadjah Mada) was also inaugurated to serve during the period of 1982 to 1986. Then, Dr. Ir. Soekotjo (University of Gadjah Mada), who previously served as the First Rector Assistant, led UNIB during the period from 1986 to 1990. From 1990 to 1995, Dr. Ir. Nitza Arbi (Andalas University) was appointed to lead UNIB. After that, from 1995 to 2005, the position of Rector was held by Prof. Dr. H. Zulkifli Husin, S.E., M.Sc. (University of Syiah Kuala). From 2005 to 2013, Prof. Ir. ZainaLMuktamar, M.Sc., Ph.D was chosen as the Rector. Dr. Ridwan Nurazi, S.E., M.Sc., was inaugurated and has been serving as the 6th Rector of the University of Bengkulu from 2013 to 2021. The 7th Rector of the University of Bengkulu was Dr. Retno Agustina Ekaputri, S.E., M.Sc, who has been serving from 2021 to 2025. Since 06 October 2025 till now, Prof. Dr. Indra Cahyadinata, S.P., M.Si., has served as the 8th Rector of the University of Bengkulu.
The existence of UNIB was the accomplishment of the long tiring struggle of Governor Soeprapto supported wholeheartedly by Bengkulu’s people, customary figures, Bengkulu Provincial Government, and a Private University namely Universitas Semarak Bengkulu (UNSEB). The manifestation of support from the UNSEB was actualized by transferring its students as the pioneer students and the University’s land area of 24,9 Ha, located in Beringin Raya District.
One main obstacle encountered during the establishment of UNIB, according to the feasibility study conducted by Sriwijaya University, was the absence of educational resources. Therefore, at that time, the establishment of a State University in Bengkulu was considered not yet feasible. The obstacle was finally resolved after the Governor established cooperation with the University of Gadjah Mada initiated by President Soeharto’s recommendation. As a result, several educational resources/educators were deployed to Unib, such as Prof. Ir. Soejonto Sumodhardjo, Dr. Ir. Soekotjo, Drs. Sutarto, Ir. Supratoyo and H. Hidjazi, S.H to help as both structural officials and educators. Subsequently, they conducted open recruitment for educator positions inviting those who were from Java and Sumatra.