Universitas Terbuka (UT) continues to develop collaborations with various parties to enhance its educational services to the entire community. This time, UT has established a partnership with Badan Pimpinan Pusat Perhimpunan Hotel dan Restoran Indonesia (BPP PHRI). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ceremony took place at Hotel Sahid Jakarta on December 11, 2023.
The MoU signing was conducted by UT Rector Prof Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., and the Chairman of PHRI Dr. Ir. H. Hariyadi BS Sukamdani, M.M. The event was attended by several PHRI leaders, including 1) Ir. H. Maulana Yusran, M.B.A., M.Sc., Secretary General of PHRI; 2) Dr. Yuno Abeta Lahay, Vice Chairman of the Organization Division; 3) Ashok Kumar, Chairman of BPD PHRI Prov. Banten; 4) Neni Wahyudi, Yayasan Sahid Jaya; 5) Vivi Herlambang, Member of Bidang Hotel Berbintang; 5) Mr. Fajar, one of the hotel owner in Banten area.
The UT delegation included Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D. – Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Business, Dr. Meirani Harsasi, S.E., M.Si. – Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Olivia Idrus, S.E., M.Sc. – Prof. Dr. Maman Rumanta, M.Si. – Director of the Postgraduate School, Andy Mulyana, S.E.., M.M. Chairman of the Tourism Study Program, Fauzy Rahman Kosasih, S.S., M.Pd. Head of the Directorate of Cooperation and International Affairs at DPKS, Dr. Maya Maria – Rakhmini Juwita, S.E., M.Si. – Learning and Exam Manager and Acting Director of UT Serang, and their respective teams.
Opened by Mr. Hariyadi, he expressed gratitude for the collaboration between UT and PHRI. He mentioned that the signing of this agreement marks a significant step for UT in the collaboration of Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi and will further strengthen the collaboration for UT and PHRI, which will benefit both parties.
As known, this UT and PHRI MoU covers Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi and Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) as a strategic step to bridge the academic field of UT Tourism undergraduate program with the Business and Industrial World or “Dunia Usaha dan Dunia Industri” (DUDI) in Bahasa Indonesia. Thus, the implication is that the undergraduate tourism students can carry out practical work and internship in hotels or restaurants as part of MBKM implementation. Furthermore, UT and PHRI can expand and develop tourism, especially in the field of hospitality and restaurants, throughout Indonesia.
In general, the scope of this Memorandum of Understanding includes cooperation in terms of: a) the implementation of open and distance higher education (teaching, seminars, workshops, face-to-face and/or online tutorials); b) research and community service for the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industry; c) joint empowerment of Human Resources (HR), especially for teaching activities; d) development and implementation of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program for UT students in collaboration with the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries; e) development of Sentra-sentra Layanan Universitas Terbuka (SALUT) in the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industry environment; and f) socialization, promotion, and recruitment of prospective UT students in the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industry.
During the MoU event, the Rector stated, “UT already has the Tourism Undergraduate Program so, UT continues to expand its network to collaborate with various parties for the smooth process of learning and the expansion of student activities.” He emphasized, “UT can grow because UT always collaborates for resource sharing.” Regarding UT existence as a provider of distance higher education, the Rector explained that UT was established by the Government in 1984 as a State Higher Education Institution (PTN) for three reasons: 1) to equalize access to higher education throughout the regions; 2) to provide a place for high school graduates or equivalent who are not accommodated in limited PTN; 3) to facilitate working people who want to improve their capabilities without leaving their jobs and social lives.
In his closing remarks, the Rector affirmed that with the signing of this MoU, UT and PHRI are committed to strengthening collaboration and opening new opportunities for both parties to share experiences and develop beneficial inovations to the community, especially in the hospitality, tourism, and restaurant industries. The event concluded with the signing session and a group photo.
