Universitas Trisakti, is the only private university in Indonesia which was 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) Number 014/dar 1965 which was signed by Dr. Sharif Thajeb. November 29 was later set as the birthday of Universitas Trisakti.

The process of the birth of Universitas Trisakti began with the destruction of Respublika University by the masses in 1965 because it was considered involved in the Indonesian Communist Party movement in September 1965. From the ruins of Respublika, Trisakti University was built. The name of Universitas Trisakti was given by Dr. Ir. Soekarno, the President of the Republic of Indonesia at that time. The meaning of Trisakti is taken from Dr. Ir. Soekarno’s speech which means sovereign in the political field, independent in the economic field and individual in culture. This foundation is the pillar of Universitas Trisakti’s efforts to participate in educating the nation’s children in various aspects, such as intellectual, emotional, spiritual intelligence and social sensitivity to others, spurring wisdom and justice.

Initially, Universitas Trisakti had five faculties: the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, and the Faculty of Engineering, which has 4 (four) departments, the Department of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Architecture.

Currently, in its journey, Universitas Trisakti has 9 (nine) faculties. There are the 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 and Energy Technology, Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Engineering. Environment, as well as the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, with a total of 23 (twenty three) Undergraduate Programs and 5 (five) Diploma III Programs. In addition, there is a Postgraduate Program which has 8 (eight) Masters Programs and 2 (two) Doctoral Programs.

In its journey until now, Universitas Trisakti has experienced various events, one of which is very monumental, the May 12, 1998 Tragedy which resulted in the death of 4 (four) Universitas Trisakti students. The death of these four students has triggered the movement of Indonesian students in overthrowing the New Order and is seen as the beginning of the revival of the Indonesian Reform Era. This event is considered very monumental because it has brought down the New Order government which has held power in this country for more than 32 years.

Since then, Universitas Trisakti has been known as the Campus of Reform Heroes and is determined to continue to stand at the forefront for always raising the banner of reform with the Kadeham idealism (Nationality, Democracy and Human Rights).

After 7 (seven) years of the incident, finally in 2005 the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono awarded the Bintang Jasa Pratama award, with the Presidential Decree No. 057/TK/2005 on August 9, 2005. The four students who died had served as Reform Fighters and pushed for reforms that enabled fundamental changes in the Indonesian state administration to lead to a democratic life.

The Rectors who have developed and raised 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 – Now  Prof. Dr. Ir. Kadarsah Suryadi, DEA