On July 30, 2024, Universitas Terbuka (UT) held the graduation ceremony for the Second Period of Region 2 for the 2023/2024 Academic Year at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC). 2,017 graduates who completed their studies attended the event with enthusiasm and emotion. The graduates came from various UT Regional Offices from Sabang to Merauke, including UT Overseas. Additionally, this graduation included graduates from the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program.
Themed “Shape a Quality Future, Advance Globally with UT,” the event carried hopes for a new chapter that the graduates will embark on after completing their studies at UT. The Decree of the Rector on the Confirmation of Graduates for the Second Period of Region 2 for the 2023/2024 Academic Year was read by the Director of Administration, Academic, and Graduation (DAAK), Firmansyah, S.Kom., M.M., and then confirmed by the Rector of UT, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D.
As part of the graduation ceremony, the Decree of the Rector on the Best Graduates for the Second Period of Region 2 was read by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UT, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, M.A. The graduates who received the highest honors were Ribut Lupiyanto from the Master of Environmental Studies program with a GPA of 4.00 and Muhamad Baharudin Dasuki from the Public Administration Study Program with a focus on Personnel with a GPA of 3.99.
In his speech, Prof. Ojat congratulated the graduates who had successfully completed their studies at UT. “Those of you who are here are the result of hard work and total dedication,” said Prof. Ojat. He added that UT currently serves over one million students according to the Student Record System, with 551,000 active students. No other university in Indonesia has as many students as UT. “UT may not be a popular university, but it is the largest university in the country,” continued Prof. Ojat.
Among the inspirational graduates was Drs. Burhanudin from the S1 Law Studies program, who is also the Regent of East Belitung. Despite his busy schedule, he managed to complete his education at UT. He acknowledged the difficulty of balancing his time between studying and managing the government and his citizens. “My phone is open 24 hours a day, so I have to be smart about managing my time,” he revealed.
With determination and good spirit, the graduates of Universitas Terbuka for the Second Period of Region 2 for the 2023/2024 Academic Year have proven their academic achievements. The graduation not only marks the end of their academic journey but also the beginning of a new adventure in the professional world. The graduates are expected to make significant contributions to the nation’s progress, inspiring others just as the Regent of East Belitung has shown that with dedication, anything is possible. Congratulations to all graduates, and may your new journey be filled with success and achievements.
