DILI, TIMOR-LESTE – From Dili, Universitas Terbuka (UT) reaffirmed a clear message: education transcends national borders. During its official visit to Timor-Leste on February 2–5, 2026, UT advanced distance higher education access, strengthened institutional partnerships, and reinforced Indonesia’s role in education diplomacy grounded in sustainable development.
The delegation was led by UT Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si., accompanied by Vice Rector for Research, Cooperation, and Business Dr. Hendrian, S.E., M.Si.; newly appointed Director of UT Kupang Dr. Albert Gamot Malau, S.Si., M.Si.; Director of UT Serang (former Director of UT Kupang) Dr. Ajat Sudrajat, M.Pd.; Policy Advisor Fauzy Rahman Kosasih, S.S., M.Pd.; and UT’s Person in Charge in Timor-Leste.
A key milestone was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the UT Rector and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Timor-Leste at KBRI Dili. The partnership opens doctoral study opportunities—Doctor of Management and Doctor of Public Administration—for embassy staff and Indonesian nationals, delivered through UT’s open and distance learning system without disrupting their professional duties. In the initial phase, nine prominent figures—including the Ambassador, attachés, and leaders of state-owned and private enterprises operating in Timor-Leste—have enrolled, reflecting strong trust in UT’s academic quality.
To strengthen student support systems, UT also partnered with Bank BRI Timor-Leste to facilitate secure and efficient tuition payment channels for Timorese students.
Beyond government collaboration, UT reinforced partnerships with eight public and private universities in Timor-Leste, continuing initiatives launched in 2025. The cooperation covers curriculum recognition, faculty and staff qualification upgrading, lecturer and student exchanges, collaborative research and community service, course offerings through ICE-Institute, and joint scientific publications.
In discussions with Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, UT reported that 95 Timorese citizens are currently enrolled as UT students, including 10 scholarship recipients—an achievement welcomed as part of Indonesia’s contribution to higher education development in Timor-Leste and the broader ASEAN cooperation spirit.
The visit concluded with a meeting with Timor-Leste’s Minister of Education (Basic and Secondary), where UT highlighted that half of its Timorese students are enrolled in the Primary School Teacher Education (PGSD) program. These in-service teachers continue teaching while upgrading their qualifications through UT’s flexible learning system—an initiative strongly supported by the Minister.
UT also visited SALUT An-Nur in Dili, underscoring its commitment to grassroots educational services. For UT, SALUT serves as a strategic hub connecting the Timorese community to inclusive, flexible, and sustainable higher education.
Across four days of engagements, UT delivered a consistent message: through education as a medium of soft diplomacy, the university continues to expand learning opportunities beyond geographic and administrative boundaries, fostering a more equitable regional education future.
