As it reaches its 40th anniversary, Universitas Terbuka (UT) is steadfast in implementing information and communication technology to support its long-distance higher education services for over half a million active students, both in Indonesia and abroad. UT has now produced more than 2 million alumni equipped with self-learning skills and the use of internet-based technology. Various academic administrative services with IT foundations are continually improved to ensure that students can successfully complete their studies with academic achievements to be proud of.
Notably, Universitas Terbuka Bogor proudly graduated more than a thousand of the students who participated in a series of graduation events starting with an Academic Seminar on the day before the ceremony. UT Bogor graduates attended the Academic Seminar for the first period of 2024 on February 21, 2024, at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) in Pondok Cabe, Tangerang Selatan. The seminar highlighted a relevant theme for the current era, “Between Love and Hate: The Struggle of Teachers Facing the Use of AI in Education.”
The keynote speaker for the seminar was Prof. M Gorky Sembiring M.Sc., a figure with extensive experience in the Indonesian education sector. It is hoped that his insights shared during the seminar will serve as a platform for stakeholders in the education sector to discuss and exchange experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities teachers face in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the learning process. With the rapid advancement of technology, the use of AI in education has become unavoidable. However, along with the conveniences it offers, various dilemmas and challenges need to be addressed.
The speakers present were experts in their respective fields, including academics, education practitioners, and AI researchers. The content covered various aspects, from the implementation of AI technology in learning to its impact on the roles of teachers and students.
This event also served as a significant moment for Universitas Terbuka Bogor graduates to celebrate their success in completing their education. For information, the number of UT Bogor graduates this time amounted to 1,494 individuals from four faculties and postgraduate programs.
In the middle of the intriguing seminar, Prof. Gorky invited one of the graduates, Wong Shinta Pratikno S. S., whose surprise included inviting his five siblings, also UT graduates, to attend both in-person and virtually at UTCC.
Thus, in one family, there are six members who are UT graduates, listed in birth order as follows:
The first : Zahra Syahrbanu, S.I.Kom.
The second : Khairunnisa, S. S.
The third : Nargis Hanifati, S. S.
The fourth : Putri Pertiwi, S. S.
The fifth : Milla Shinta Pratikno S. S.
The sixth : Wong Shinta Pratikno S. S.
During the Academic Seminar, the second sibling expressed immense pride as part of the big UT family. She had always recommended her siblings to study at UT.
“We are very proud of UT. It is the favorite university in our family,” said the second sibling, Khairunnisa, S. S.
Not to be outdone in expressing pride in her UT alma mater, the first sibling, Zahra Syahrbanu, S.I.Kom., conveyed her eagerness to pursue further studies in the postgraduate program at Universitas Terbuka. She revealed her reason for studying at UT, “Because UT is very flexible, making it very supportive for urban communities with high mobility.”
Zahra added, “I can’t wait to pursue postgraduate studies at UT,” said Zahra via Zoom. Currently working in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Through this moment, UT leaders used the Academic Seminar as a moment to congratulate and convey happiness to UT prospective graduates. Drs. Enang Rusyana, M.Pd., the Director of UT Bogor, conveyed his message to the seminar participants, who would be graduating the next day, “Congratulations on successfully going through self-learning processes at UT. Keep contributing to our beloved nation progress. The graduation series is not the end of the struggle, UT graduates must strive to improve themselves in the future. Don’t forget to uphold the alma mater, promoting UT good name in society.”
