Universitas Terbuka (UT) has received an award at the Katadata Green Initiative Awards (KGIA) 2025 for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The award was presented to the Head of UT’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Prof. Dra. Dewi Artati Padmo Putri, M.A., Ph.D., at the Katadata Sustainability Action for The Future Economy (SAFE) 2025 event held in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. 

UT was recognized as a Green Campus Digital, a testament to its comprehensive implementation of a digital learning ecosystem. This initiative significantly reduces the university’s environmental footprint by making its operations paperless and minimizing carbon emissions. 

UT’s Green Initiatives and Sustainability Efforts 

UT’s green initiatives, collectively known as Green Impact UT, are a core part of its digital green campus transformation. These efforts are categorized into two main areas: 

• In-situ Conservation: UT implements on-site conservation measures to manage its local environment. These include a rainwater runoff management system that handles up to 50% of daily volume through eco-drainage, biopore holes, and the creation of artificial lakes to maintain a balanced campus ecosystem of flora and fauna. 

• Ex-situ Conservation: This focuses on a digital campus model that minimizes paper use and reduces carbon emissions. By leveraging its distance learning system, UT can expand its reach to remote areas, including the 3T regions (Terdepan, Terluar, Tertinggal – Frontier, Outermost, and Underdeveloped), without the need for extensive physical infrastructure. 

The primary goals of these programs are to increase access to inclusive education, reduce the carbon footprint of education, and integrate sustainability into the curriculum. This approach also strengthens UT’s social role in empowering communities. 

These initiatives align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): By expanding access to education. 

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): By building a sustainable digital ecosystem. 

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Through its conservation efforts. 

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By minimizing its carbon footprint. 

UT’s achievement at the KGIA 2025 further cements its position as a leading green university, demonstrating that it is possible to provide high-quality education in an environmentally friendly way. 

The article provides a great summary of UT’s green initiatives. Would you like to know more about the Katadata Green Initiative Awards or get a more detailed explanation of how UT’s digital learning ecosystem contributes to its sustainability goals?