Academy of trade was founded in 1960 under the auspice of Djambi College Foundation. This foundation was established with the initiative of public figures and Jambi authority, headed by R. Sudarson, who served as Jambi's mayor. Afterward, in 1961, the academy of trade was changed into the economics faculty, which coincided with law faculty formation. These two faculties were affiliated to the faculty of the economy at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. With the two faculties in hand, Jambi public figures and local authorities struggled to establish a university with a Jambi establishment committee. With a minister's decree no. 105/1962 on 15 August 1962, a committee of Jambi establishment of University was formed. M.J. Singadekane chaired this local committee as the first governor of Jambi province.
The committee's job was to establish Jambi University on 1 April 1963, which was strengthened with the ministerial decree no. 25/1963 on 23 March 1963. The preparation committee for Jambi University later opened two new faculties: faculty of agriculture and faculty of animal husbandry. Therefore, when this University was officially opened on 1 April 1963, it already had four faculties: faculty of economics, faculty of law, faculty of agriculture, and animal husbandry faculty. From the moment to the present day, 1 April was celebrated as the birth date of this University.
The University was run under presidium format from its creation in 1963 until 1977. This system ceased to exist when Drs. Kemas Mohamad Saleh was elected as the interim rector by the minister of culture and education in the Republic of Indonesia.
Jambi University symbol is a white swan which is spreading its wings inside a pentagon with an essential color background of ripe areca and written "Jambi University," as a forum for the development of science that upholds moral and ethics. According to its story, there were two white swans used by King of Jambi as a guide for the founder of a city location. According to a legend, the King says, both white swans swam in the Batang Hari river, then landed in a particular place that, according to a legend, was the place where the Great Mosque of Al Falah currently located.
The University's vision is in 2025; the University will be qualified by the various eminent center of innovation and competition nationally and internationally. The mission is to Initiate and ensures access to high-quality education and affordable for the whole society based on the equality principle (higher education services). Produce human resources that are reliable and able to compete globally. Develop and disseminate knowledge, technology, and the arts through education, research, and community service. Develop college governance effective and efficient based on fairness, openness, responsibility, and accountability. We aim to open and allow people to develop into a modern society living the faith and piety and master of Science, Technology, and Art. Developing human resources knowledgeable, creative, disciplined, moral and ethical, dedicated, and able to adapt and compete in the development of Science, Technology, and Art. Develop and disseminate Science, Technology, and Arts and seek their use to improve people's lives and preserve and enrich the national culture. Develop a democratic atmosphere that supports academic freedom, freedom of academic forum, and responsibly scientific autonomy. Develop and strengthen the governance of the organization healthy and well. Meet the needs of facilities and infrastructures that support the education and development of science, technology, and Art.
