UT Rector Ojat Darojat said that after earning legal entity status in 2022, UT has entered a new chapter in the book of its journey.  “This means we receive wider autonomy from the government to manage our own rules,” Ojat said in a press conference on the sidelines of the pinnacle of the series of activities to celebrate UT’s 39^th anniversary at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) in Pondok Cabe, Tangerang on Sept. 4.

“The status has allowed us to respond quickly to the public demand, such as for wider coverage, or for opening of a new study program. This can be decided internally,” he remarked.

According to him, UT applies new ways of implementing the wider autonomy-based initiatives. “For example, as related to collaborations. UT can evolve and thrive largely thanks to the collaborations,” he said.

“Collaboration is crucial given that we have to serve the nation with wide coverage, not only across the archipelago but even overseas. We cannot work alone. So, the key is networking and collaborations,” he pointed out.

He said that efforts were underway to establish a new tradition, as the minister of education and culture has suggested, to design study programs that are needed by market niches, such as an industrial circle.

UT’s legal entity parallels efforts to increase the gross participation rate (APK) in Indonesia, according to Ojat.

UT is the only university that provides distance higher education services to Indonesian people all over the archipelago, from Sabang to Merauke.

 “Looking ahead, we want all ethnic groups, including those living in remote areas in Indonesia to pursue higher education at UT, which highly respects diversity,” he said, explaining why UT’s leaders wore traditional clothes from different ethnic groups, such as Lampung, Mataram, Sunda, Palembang, North Sumatra and Java, during the pinnacle of the celebration. 

“We wear traditional garb to show that we are Indonesian. That is the primary message,” said one of UT’s executives. 

MURI records

UT’s 39th anniversary was themed, ‘New Working Culture and Order, Realizing the Advanced Indonesia Vision’, and was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city of Tangerang. The MoU was signed by Ojat and Tangerang Mayor Arief R. Wismansyah.

The event also saw UT Serang director Dr Maman Rumanta signing a collaboration agreement with the Human Resources Development and Employment Agency head Heriyanto on Scaling Up of the Human Resources Quality and the Strengthening of the Education Personnel and Educational Institution Capacity.

At the occasion, UT garnered three more Indonesian World Records of Museum (MURI) records for the highest number of countries where exams are held, the highest online exam participation and the highest sale of teaching materials.

Ojat received the three MURI certificates from MURI operational director Yusuf Ngadri.

MURI founder and proprietor Jaya Suprana announced the three records bestowed to UT in a video.  Accordig to Jaya Suprana, UT is the only distance higher education institution that holds exams in 51 countries.

He revealed that UT conducted the highest number of online exams, with 468,847 exam participants. UT also sold 2,026,843 copies of teaching materials, which was the highest in Indonesia.

UT had also previously earned six MURI certificates in different categories.

The pinnacle of the activities was attended by the Tangerang mayor, UT’s chiefs, the student senate and all employees of UT’s Central Office. Also present at the event were UT’s previous rectors, including UT’s third rector (1996-2001) Prof. Dr. Bambang Sutjiatmo, its fourth rector (2001-2009) Prof. Atwi Suparman and its fifth rector (2009-2017) Prof. Tian Belawati. Previous deputy rectors and chiefs of UT’s close partners also attended the event.

The celebration was also marked by the launch of UT’s website with a new, fresh look that aims to raise public awareness about UT’s excellence. UT also launched an application for Law Information and Documentation Network (IDIH) and several books, one of which was a biography of Ojat, titled “Berbekal Doa Emak” (Thanks to Mother’s Prayer).

Ojat’s mother and father attended for the launch of the biography.

Ojat expressed his gratitude to his parents, especially to his mother, who continually prayed and instilled perseverance in him to mold his character and drove him to pursue education as high as possible. 

At the occasion, UT also gave a few tokens of appreciation, namely Citra Paramesti, Citra Saghatana and Citra Pararta to partners for their support to UT.

Citra Paramesti was given to UT’s best individual partner Insp. Gen. Pol. Midi Siswoko, North Maluku Regional Police Head from UT Ternate. He stands in the frontline in introducing UT and supporting the open university.

Citra Saghatana was awarded to PT Arumin Indonesia Tambang Satui as its best institutional partner for their remarkable support to UT.

Citra Pararta was given to Tribun Media as the best media for promoting UT’s positive image.

The pinnacle of UT’s 39th anniversary also saw the announcement of the winners of UT’s Disporseni Nasional (scientific discussion, sports and arts week) program 2023 and the handing over of the trophy to the general champion.

The series of activities kicked off on May 30, 2023, and involved the academic community. The activities included competitions, arts, seminars and inaugural ceremonies for professors.

Ojat said that the competitions were aimed at channeling students’ talents and interests and at awarding employees and lecturers for their good performance.

“We hope that the thanksgiving event that we hold today will give all, especially UT’s employees and staff, a lasting memory and motivate them to move forward,” he concluded.

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