SURABAYA — For students studying amid busy schedules, technology can make it easier to find and process information. However, this convenience also brings a new challenge: how can technology support the learning process without replacing students’ thinking?
This question was one of the concerns highlighted by Universitas Terbuka (UT) Surabaya during its orientation for new students on Saturday (29/8/2026). Amid the increasingly widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, students were encouraged to use technology wisely without losing their independence in learning.
Vice Rector of UT for Research, Cooperation, and Business, Dr. Hendrian, S.E., M.Si., said AI can provide various benefits in the learning process. However, the technology must be positioned as a supporting tool, rather than a replacement for students’ thinking processes.
“AI actually helps us in the thinking process. AI is not the one that will become our role model. Instead, we use AI, and AI serves as a tool,” Hendrian said.
AI as a Supporting Tool, Not a Replacement for the Learning Process
According to Hendrian, students can use AI to seek perspectives, process information, and support the learning process. Nevertheless, students still need to understand the material and take responsibility for their own academic process.
Therefore, the use of AI also needs to be accompanied by an understanding of ethics. Students need to understand the boundaries of technology use so that AI does not replace their critical thinking and the learning process they are supposed to undertake.
“To safeguard against that, we need to provide them with a form of ethics in learning that uses AI,” he said.
This understanding is considered important because UT students come from diverse backgrounds, including those who are already working and have to divide their time between education and other activities.
Distance Learning Requires Commitment
In addition to the ability to use technology, new students also need to understand the characteristics of the distance learning system implemented by UT.
The system provides flexibility for students, but at the same time requires independence in managing their time, determining study schedules, and ensuring that academic assignments are completed.
For students who work or have other activities, the ability to manage time is an important part of maintaining the continuity of their studies.
Hendrian emphasized that commitment is one of the main assets students need to pursue distance education.
“The most important thing is one word: commitment. They must be committed that they are currently engaged in a learning process based on distance learning,” he said.
Thus, flexibility in UT’s learning system still needs to be balanced with discipline and personal responsibility.
Thousands of Students Receive Preparation for Learning Success
To help students adapt to the system, UT Surabaya organized the Distance Learning Success Support Service (LPKBJJ).
Director of UT Surabaya, Prof. Dr. Suparti, M.Pd., said LPKBJJ was conducted in three stages. In the first stage, 649 students participated in the activity.
The second stage was attended by 3,998 students spread across nine participating regencies/cities. Meanwhile, in the third stage, the number of participants reached 5,293 students.
In the third stage, 669 students participated in person, while 4,624 students participated online.
“For this third stage of LPKBJJ, we held the activity in person here with 669 participants and 4,624 who participated online,” Suparti said.
The participants came not only from Surabaya, but also from various areas within the UT Surabaya service coverage, including students located at the Universitas Terbuka Service Centers (SALUT).
Suparti explained that the third stage of LPKBJJ also provided an opportunity for students who had not participated in the support service in the previous stages.
10,142 New Students Ready to Begin Their Studies
The high number of orientation participants went hand in hand with the number of new students admitted to UT Surabaya during this period.
In this new student admission period, 12,869 people were recorded as having completed admission or registration. Of this number, 10,142 people had registered as new students.
These thousands of students will subsequently undertake their studies through the distance education system that characterizes UT. Online Tutorials (Tuton) are scheduled to begin on September 14, 2026, with eight sessions.
Amid increasingly rapid technological developments, UT students are not only required to be able to keep up with change. They also need to ensure that technology remains in its proper place: as a tool that supports the learning process, while the ability to think, independence, and responsibility remain in the hands of the students.
