Kadiri University is situated in the western part of Kediri City, East Java, in a strategic location close to Indonesia’s tourist attractions. Kadiri University is one of oldest universities in the region, with over 31000 alumni. On July 28, 1980, the Sodanco Supriyadi Wali Songo Kediri Education Foundation established Kadiri University based on the Notarial Deed of Soeroso, S.H. 84 of 1980.
The first lecture was inaugurated by the Governor of East Java (the late Soenandar Priyo Sudarmo) on February 7, 1981 which was later designated as the anniversary of Kadiri University. Kadiri University at its inception had three Faculties, namely the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences with Registered Status for the Bachelor Program based on a decree. Minister of Education and Culture No. 036/0/1982, dated January 30, 1982. In 1983 the Faculty of Economics and Engineering was established based on a Registered Decree (SK) for the Bachelor Program with SK. Minister of Education and Culture Number 109/0/1983, dated February 28, 1983. Based on achievements in the Baccalaureate Program, Kadiri University obtained Registered Status for the Undergraduate Strata One program based on the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 070/0/1985, further refined by the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 039/0/1985, dated May 23, 1986. In 1987, the Faculty of Engineering opened registration for the Department of Industrial Management Engineering with Registered Status based on the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture. Number 0664/0/1989 dated October 5, 1989. Furthermore, efforts are made to increase the status from registered status to recognized status for the five faculties including: 1) Faculty of Law, 2) Faculty of Social and Political Science, 3) Faculty of Agriculture, 4) Faculty of Economics and 5) Faculty of Engineering. In the end, the seven majors mentioned above, received the status of being recognized for the Bachelor’s Degree (S-1) program based on a decree. Minister of Education and Culture Number 0652/0/1989 concerning Granting of Recognized Status to Faculties/Departments/Study Programs/Specialty Programs at the University of Kadiri, September 30, 1989, Decree No.0400/0/1990, June 11, 1990 and SK.No.0557/0/ 1990, August 20, 1990. In 2005 Kadiri University established a new faculty, namely the Faculty of Health Sciences, the first study program to be established was the Midwifery Study Program (Diploma Empat) based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education Number 579/D/T/2005 concerning Permits for the Implementation of Program Education Midwifery Studies (Diploma Empat) at Kadiri University in Kediri on 25 February 2005. On 6 May 2005 based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education 1342/D/T/2005 concerning Permits for the Implementation of Nursing Study Programs (S1) at Kadiri University in Kediri the Nursing Study Program was established (S1). Furthermore, on September 28, 2007, the Midwifery Study Program (D3) was established based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education 2930/D/T/2007 concerning the Permit to Organize the Midwifery Study Program (DIII) at Kadiri University in Kediri. On July 15, 2008 the Postgraduate Program was established with 2 (two) Study Programs, namely Administrative Sciences and Legal Studies based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No.2210/D/T/2008 concerning Permits for the Implementation of New Study Programs at Kadiri University in Kediri.