Before the foundation of the university, in 1960 there was Akademi Perniagaan Djambi (the Academy of Commerce in Jambi) under Jajasan Perguruan Tinggi Djambi (the Foundation of Tertiary Education in Jambi) which was chaired by R. Sudarsono who was the mayor of the city. In 1961, the academy transformed itself as the Faculty of Economics along with the establishment of the Faculty of Law, both affiliated to University of Indonesia Faculty of Economics. With those faculties, local public figures and Jambi provincial government were seeking to establish a university in their own region through Panitia Persiapan Pendirian Universitas Negeri Jambi (The Establishment of Jambi State University Preparatory Committee). The committee was headed by Col. M.J. Singedekane who was the governor of Jambi.