Pasaman Timur — Questions about what to do after graduating from high school may sound simple, but for Grade 12 students, the answer can become a major decision. Some already have a university and study program in mind, while others are still looking for an option that suits them. Some may also be considering how university study can go hand in hand with work or other activities. At this point, information about higher education options becomes important, especially when students need to learn about those options more closely rather than simply hearing about them from afar.
Bringing that information closer to prospective students, Universitas Terbuka (UT) Padang visited three schools in the Pasaman Timur area on August 27–28, 2026. Over the two-day visit, UT Padang visited SMAN 1 Rao, SMAN 1 Padang Gelugur, and SMAN 2 Lubuk Sikaping to introduce higher education while broadening students’ understanding of various ways to continue their studies after graduating from secondary school.
The series of activities began on Thursday (August 27, 2026) with a morning visit to SMAN 1 Rao, followed by a visit to SMAN 1 Padang Gelugur in the afternoon. On Friday (August 28, 2026), the activities continued at SMAN 2 Lubuk Sikaping. During the meetings, students were not only introduced to Universitas Terbuka, but were also invited to understand how the open and distance education system can be one of the options for pursuing higher education.
Director of UT Padang Dr. Mery Berlian, S.P., M.Si., attended the activities in person together with UT Padang staff Musmeldi, S.Kom. and Dylla Oktania, S.M. They explained the available education programs, the learning process, and the opportunities students can pursue after becoming UT students. Flexibility was one of the key aspects introduced, as students can manage their time and learning activities according to their individual circumstances.
This model opens up possibilities for those who do not want university study to become their only activity in life. Students can continue developing themselves, working, or pursuing other activities while completing their education. For students thinking about their future, this kind of flexibility can broaden their choices, that higher education can adapt to a person’s life rather than always requiring someone to put their life on hold in order to attend university.
“We want students in Pasaman Timur to become more familiar with Universitas Terbuka and understand that there are many options for pursuing higher education. UT offers an open and distance education system that provides students with the flexibility to continue developing themselves, working, or carrying out other activities while studying. We hope the information we provide today can serve as a valuable foundation for students as they determine their educational choices after graduation,” said Dr. Mery Berlian on Friday.
UT Padang’s presence received a warm welcome from the schools. The principals of each educational institution provided an opportunity for higher education information to be shared with students, particularly those who are beginning to prepare for their next steps after high school. Meetings like these are important because the closer students are to reliable educational information, the greater their opportunity to consider options that match their interests, needs, and future plans.
For UT Padang, reaching schools in Pasaman Timur is part of its effort to expand access to higher education information across various regions. This commitment to equal access is increasingly relevant when opportunities to receive quality education are not seen as belonging only to those living in urban centers, but also need to be brought as close as possible to young people in different areas. For UT Padang, visits to schools across Pasaman Timur are part of its efforts to expand access to higher education information. Through its open and distance education system, UT offers learning options for people with diverse circumstances and needs.
For some students, the choice of what to do after graduation may still be a question mark. However, through the meetings at the three schools, they at least gained more answers to consider. There are study program options, different ways of learning, and the possibility of continuing their education without having to stop other activities already underway. After the UT Padang team left the schools, the decision ultimately remained in the hands of each student, but this time, they had more information to help determine where their next steps would lead.
