Widya Manggala Institute was established on April 14, 1990 in Semarang. In its efforts to participate in advancing and educating the nation’s life, Widya Manggala Institute received a large and positive response from the community.

In line with its growth, Widya Manggala Institute held an undergraduate tutorial program for the Open University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Management. In addition, Institut Widya Manggala also offers BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) and MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs.

In further development, along with the birth of Law No. 2 of 1989 concerning Government Regulations and Law No. 30 of 1990 concerning Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0686/0/1992 as well as Circular Letter of the Director General of Higher Education and Circular Letter of the Director General of Out-of-School Education Youth and Sports and with reference to Law No.2 of 1989, the existence of the Widya Manggala Institute is faced with two choices as an educational institution that provides non-degree courses or as a Higher Education Institution entitled to award academic degrees.

In line with the Law, the Widya Manggala Indonesia Foundation board chose to continue to grow and develop as a university that has the right to award academic degrees. On February 27, 1993 Widya Manggala Indonesia Foundation submitted an application to establish a College of Economics (STIE) with the name STIE Widya Manggala under the Directorate General of Higher Education cq. LL Dikti Region VI Central Java.

The application from Yayasan Widya Manggala Indonesia received a recommendation from LL Dikti Region VI No. 1361/K/04.01/KOP.VI/V/93 dated May 28, 1993, followed by the approval of the Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture No. 120/D/O/1993 dated September 11, 1993. It is on this basis that STIE Widya Manggala participates in the field of education to advance and educate the life of the Indonesian nation.