The establishment of a higher education institution in Pekalongan was driven by the vision of its founders, particularly Mr. Ali Said, SH, the former Attorney General of Indonesia. As an alumnus of State Junior High School I (SMPN I) Pekalongan, he aimed to create a Living Monument—a lasting contribution to education, social development, and community welfare in the region. This vision led to the creation of the Samapta Makarya Pembangunan Tanah Air Foundation (Samapta Foundation) on February 15, 1980, under a notarial deed.

To fulfill its mission, the foundation established Sekolah Tinggi Ekonomi (STEKAL), a higher education institution focused on economics. Shortly after, on March 20, 1980, the foundation’s name was changed to Samarthya Mahotsaha Paramadharma Foundation (Samarthya Foundation). Recognizing the need for a broader academic scope, STEKAL was officially upgraded to a university on September 5, 1982, becoming Universitas Pekalongan (UNIKAL)—the first university in Pekalongan.

UNIKAL remains committed to producing graduates with strong The university continuously strives to uphold its founding principles and comply with national education laws. To align with new regulations, the foundation updated its Articles of Association in 2007 and received official approval from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in 2009. The most recent management restructuring took place in May 2022.