Universitas Terbuka (UT) is the 45th state university and a pioneer in providing Open and Distance Higher Education (PTTJJ) in Indonesia. Currently, UT has 550,005 active students with a target of 750,000 by 2024.
On March 22, 2024, Universitas Terbuka (UT) had the opportunity to receive a visit from the Vice Rector 4 of Universitade Dili Timor Leste, Dr. Arif Abdullah Sagran. The pickup was directly conducted by Fauzy Rahman Kosasih as the Head of the Directorate of Partnership and International Affairs.
Upon arriving at UT, Dr. Arif visited the Research and Community Service Institution (LPPM) building to discuss the availability of the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program for students in Dili, Timor Leste. Dra. Yusraffidin, M.Pd. as the Head of Center of Community Service accompanied by Dra. Tetty Rachmi, M.Hum., as a Lecturer at LPPM, explained that the BIPA program organized by UT is an online program that facilitates foreign speakers who want to learn Indonesian but cannot attend conventional classes. This program is in line with UT’s status as a pioneer university in Open and Distance Higher Education (PTTJJ), which has managed 550,005 active students.
During this visit, Dr. Arif also visited the Multimedia and Teaching Materials Production Center (P2BAM). Dr. Arif expressed his admiration for the abundant learning access facilitated by UT for its students, such as Main Material Books (BMP) and Virtual Reading Rooms (RBV) which are accessible to students in terms of space and time to maximize their learning of subjects. In addition, Dr. Arif also explored the studio and radio rooms which are places for creating digital learning materials and programs streamed via UT TV and UT Radio.
The visit continued with Dr. Arif’s arrival at the Teaching Materials Management Center (PUSLABA). Welcomed by Arief Rahman Susila, S.E., M.Si. as the Head of PUSLABA, Dr. Arif toured the PUSLABA building to see the BMPs that have been packaged for distribution not only nationally but also internationally as UT operates in more than 50 countries.
After that, Dr. Arif visited the lake and culinary garden of UT, where he was pleased to see many plants and trees as well as a clean and lush campus environment, as UT Green University (UTGU) contributes to UT’s role as an agent of change in sustainable development.
The visit concluded with an iftar event attended by the Director of Marketing and Cooperation (DPKS), Ali Tarigan, S.E., and the Head of the Directorate of Public Relations and Marketing, Dr. Maya Maria, S.E., M.M.. This visit is expected to enhance the quality and foster further cooperation between the two universities.
