The mandate of the government of Indonesia in educating the nation and people is to produce highly competent, creative, independent human resources through distance and open learning system, and therefore, a number of institutions look to Universitas Terbuka in order to realize their target goals as mandate above.
With highly flexible quality and vast scope of reach, it has made Universitas Terbuka (UT) the best choice for the Government of Regency of Merangin, Jambi, Sumatera to establish collaboration or partnership in the fields of education, research, community services, and human resource development, as well as the use of facilities and infrastructure by utilizing the resources that both parties have. On Wednesday, 20 July 2022, taking venue at Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC), the signing of memorandum of understanding or cooperation agreement was done by UT and the Government of Regency of Merangin, Jambi Province.
This collaboration is formed with the coordination with UT Jambi Regional Office (UPBJJ-UT Jambi), whereas in this opportunity, there were present Director of UT Jambi, Yasir Riady, S.S., M.Hum. The cooperation with the Government of Regency of Merangin for education access in the region of the M. Hum Regency of Merangin is realized in the effort for community’s competence building in the Regency of Merangin, especially for pursuing higher education with UT. The execution of the memorandum of understanding by UT’s Rector UT who was represented by Vice Rector for Institutional Development and Partnership, Rahmat Budiman, M.Hum., Ph.D., and the Regent on behalf of the Government of Regency of Merangin, H. Mashuri, at UTCC, was also witnessed by Vice Rector for Finance and General Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si.
In his remarks, Mister Rahmat extended his appreciation to the Government of Regency of Merangin, for its cooperation with UT. There are a number of cooperations that the Government of the Regency of Merangin has jointly established together with UT, including, among others the competence building and qualification upgrading for village government personnel. With Past Learning Recognition Services or Layanan Rekognisi Pembelajaran Lampau (RPL), potential prospective students, such as teachers and village government personnel, or Civil Servants (ASN) who can get the recognition for the study accomplishment or progress that they have previously made, through formal education, non-formal education, informal education, trainings relevant to their roles or jobs that they have achieved. Such education and experience can be recognized and credited for the Semester Credit Hours (SKS). “The prospective students can still serve the people and carry out the public services and at the same time, have the opportunity to upgrade their competence and qualification,” said Mister Rahmat.
The Regent of Merangin was very enthusiastic about UT’s programs, especially the programs that can be provided to the Civil Servants (ASN) the Government of Regency of Merangin. According to him, UT is the correct solution for Civil Servants (ASN) to upgrade their competence as they no longer need job experience while pursuing their higher education. “I strongly encourage the Civil Servants (ASN) to become the UT students which has flexible education system,“ expressed the Regent of Merangin.
He said that he would conduct the socialization on UT to the public, especially to the Civil Servants (ASN) in the Regency of Merangin and he is also ready to grant land parcel to UT. Therefore, human resources capacity buildings in the Regency of Merangin can be achieved immediately. Finally, he hopes that this MoU can be implemented soon in various cooperations for mutual benefits.
