The establishment of Petra Christian University cannot be separated from the Christian Education and Teaching Association (PPPK) Petra. PPPK Petra is an association established on April 12, 1951, with the aim of providing education from kindergarten to high school level. The idea of establishing a university aimed at giving its alumni the opportunity to continue their higher education has existed since 1956.
On September 21, 1960, a Planning Committee for the Establishment of the University was formed with the task of preparing all the needs in establishing a university. The committee members are drg. Tan Tjiaw Yong, Gouw Loe Liong, drg. Tan Gie Djien, Tjoa Siok Tjoen, Lie Ping Lioe and Kwee Djien Kian. Subsequently, based on their work, on August 8, 1961, the PPPK Petra Board of Directors decided to establish Petra Christian University with its first faculty, namely Faculty of Letters.
On September 22, 1961, the 10th anniversary of PPPK Petra, the establishment of Petra Christian University was announced. A few days later, on September 28, 1961, the PPPK Petra Board formed the Directorate of University Affairs (DUU) which was tasked with managing the university and temporarily acting as the Board of Trustees. The members of the Directorate are: drg. Tan Tjiaw Yong, Ir. O.F. Patty, dr. Mesakh Wignjohoesodo, Gouw Loe Liong and J.A. Sereh. A year later, on September 15, 1962, the second department, namely Civil Engineering, was established.
Realizing the development of the university, the administrators evaluated the internal regulations of PPPK Petra. On July 18, 1964, a committee for the establishment of the Petra Christian Higher Education Foundation (YPTK Petra) was formed, and the committee members are: J.E. Sahetapy SH, drg. Tan Tjiaw Yong, dr. M. Wignjohoesodo, Kho Hong Pie, R.M.S. Kertonadi and P.H. Saroinsong. The concept of establishing the Petra Christian Higher Education Foundation (YPTK Petra) was accepted on October 22, 1964, and legally established on January 7, 1965.
