TANGERANG SELATAN — At SMK Negeri 2 Tangerang Selatan on Monday, June 8, 2026, the atmosphere extended beyond a routine academic event. The discussions centered on the realities teachers face in schools, the need for legal certainty in carrying out their professional responsibilities, and practical solutions that address challenges in the field. Through its Bachelor of Law Study Program, Universitas Terbuka (UT) demonstrated its role not only as a higher education institution but also as an open university that brings academic knowledge beyond the classroom to address real societal issues.
The community service program was held under the theme “Building Professional Teachers: Strengthening Legal Understanding to Address the Challenges of Modern Education.” Its primary objective was to enhance teachers’ understanding of legal issues, particularly regarding professional protection, conflict prevention within school environments, and access to legal assistance when facing challenges in carrying out their duties as educators in an increasingly complex digital era.
From the outset, Universitas Terbuka played a leading role in fostering collaboration between higher education and schools. Dr. Akhmad Basuni, S.Pd.I., M.A.Pd., Principal of SMK Negeri 2 Tangerang Selatan, expressed his appreciation for UT’s initiative, noting that it provides direct benefits by strengthening teachers’ legal awareness and professional protection. He emphasized the importance of partnerships like this to ensure teachers do not face legal challenges alone. The program was officially opened by Hanif Hardianto, S.H., M.H., Chair of the Organizing Committee from UT, and marked by the presentation of a commemorative plaque symbolizing the strengthened partnership between Universitas Terbuka and the school.
As part of the program, Universitas Terbuka invited three lecturers from its Bachelor of Law Study Program to serve as keynote speakers. Hanif Hardianto opened the session with a presentation titled “Legal Protection and Teachers’ Rights in Carrying Out Their Profession.” He explained the legal framework for teacher protection under Law No. 14 of 2005 on Teachers and Lecturers, while also discussing the practical challenges educators face in the digital age, including the risk of criminalization and the legal boundaries surrounding disciplinary actions toward students.
UT’s contribution continued with a presentation by Rivaldhy N Muhammad, titled “Conflict Prevention and Building a Culture of Legal Awareness in Educational Institutions.” In his presentation, he emphasized that Universitas Terbuka seeks not only to transfer legal knowledge but also to foster a culture of legal awareness within schools, creating a safe, orderly, and supportive educational environment for all members of the school community.
The final presentation was delivered by Bahir Muhammad, who introduced the Universitas Terbuka Legal Laboratory and Legal Clinic as concrete examples of the university’s commitment to community service. Through these initiatives, UT demonstrated that its role extends beyond open and distance learning by providing access to legal consultation and assistance for teachers and members of the wider community.
The most engaging part of the event took place during the question-and-answer session. One teacher asked how educators without legal backgrounds could obtain legal assistance when facing complaints from students or parents. The question reflected a common concern among teachers and provided an opportunity for UT to demonstrate its practical support.
In response, Rivaldhy explained that Universitas Terbuka, through its Legal Clinic, already provides free legal consultation and advocacy services for teachers at SMK Negeri 2 Tangerang Selatan, following the existing partnership between the two institutions.
“Going forward, UT also plans to expand this collaboration through the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) to further strengthen teachers’ access to legal assistance,” he said in a statement released on Monday, June 15, 2026.
More broadly, the program reinforced Universitas Terbuka’s commitment to providing inclusive, flexible, and socially impactful higher education. The initiative also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by strengthening legal literacy within educational environments.
The event concluded with a warm closing ceremony and a group photo session. More importantly, it left behind a clear message: Universitas Terbuka is not only a provider of higher education but also a strategic partner that connects academic expertise with real-world needs. From Tangerang Selatan, UT once again reaffirmed its identity as an open university committed to expanding access to education without boundaries while delivering meaningful contributions to Indonesia’s education sector.
