Academy of trade was founded in 1960 under auspice of Djambi College Foundation. This foundation was established with the initiative of public figures and Jambi authority at that time which was headed by R. Sudarson who served as Jambi mayor. Afterward in 1961, the academy of trade was changed into faculty of economics with the same the founding of law faculty. These two faculties were affiliated to faculty of economy at University of Indonesia. With the two faculties in hand, Jambi public figures and local authority struggled to establish a university with a committee of Jambi establishment of university. With a minister’s decree no. 105/1962 on 15 August 1962, a committee of Jambi establishment of university was formed. This local committee was chaired by M.J. Singadekane as the first governor of Jambi province.