The Open University officially opened a series of annual National Working Meetings (Rakernas) on budgeting. The Rakernas of Budgeting for the 2024 Fiscal Year in 2023 raised the theme “Modernization of UT PTNBH Outstanding Budgeting Planning.” It was held in a hybrid format, both directly at the UT Convention Center (UTCC) Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, and virtually through Zoom meetings. The event was attended in-person by the Chairman of the Academic Senate, Prof. Chanif Nurcholis, M.Si., the Vice Rectors, Deans, Heads of Departments, Directors, and other leaders in central management. Meanwhile, the Rector of UT, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Ainun Na’im, MBA, Ph.D., attended the meetings virtually along with all UT Regional leaders. The 2023 Budgeting Rakernas is the first National Working Meeting held since UT transformed into Legal Entity State Universities (PTN-BH). This change will encourage UT to continue to improve the quality of financial management and budgeting. UT leaders are committed to utilize the institution’s finances to the fullest. During the Rakernas, all leaders also presented their respective reports, targets, and strategies for the transformation of UT budgeting as a PTN-BH.
The event was initiated with an event report delivered by the Vice Rector for Finance, Resources, and General Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si. It continued with directions from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Chairman of the Academic Senate, then remarks and an opening by the Rector. All UT leaders share the same understanding that with UT having become PTN-BH, the institution becomes more dynamic and gains more freedom to utilize its budget. However, there are specific targets that need to be achieved, such as the admission of 750 thousand students in 2024. Therefore, every financial allocation must be in the right corridor.
The Chairman of the Academic Senate also added that UT is also obliged to maintain the quality of its students, in addition to increasing the number of students. Consequently, the budget must align with the targets. The Chairman of the UT Board of Trustees also stated that, although UT as a PTN-BH can set its own Work and Financial Plan (RKA), it must still refer to the Main Performance Indicators (IKU) set by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The UT Rector confirmed the direction of the Chair of the Academic Senate and the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Moreover, he expressed that the finances managed by UT have consistently increased since 2020. This fact is inevitable because UT continues to grow and manage more than 500 thousand students. He believes that with well-executed planning, UT can optimize the entire budget to achieve the targets that have been set. Furthermore, each vice rector provided directions on their respective areas of responsibility. The four Vice Rectors described the duties and functions of the units under their supervision, as well as the management of the previous budget and the challenges they will face in achieving their goals and meeting the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The Rakernas was held for five days and focused more on the technical aspects of all UT units, both at the central and regional levels. UT leaders are always fully committed to providing the best and continuously improving the quality of UT. Through Rakernas, not only the leaders but all units must have the same commitment. With well-planned budget management, UT strives to continue providing the best in higher education in Indonesia.
