Universitas Terbuka (UT) consistently supports the government efforts to enhance human resource competency through open and distance Learning or “Pendidikan Terbuka dan Jarak Jauh” (PTJJ) in Indonesia. that can reach all layers of society, both domestically and internationally. In facilitating the provision of borderless qualified higher education, UT actively seeks collaborations with various parties. As part of this initiative, UT welcomed a visit from the Regional Office of CHED (CHEDRO) Philippines on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Candra room, first floor of Prof. Setijadi Building. UT Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Business, Mr. Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., warmly welcomed the guests, accompanied by the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Economics and Business, a representative from the ICE Institute, Head of the Quality Assurance Office, and expert staff of the Vice Rector, as well as lecturers.
To begin, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Business at UT, Mr. Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., presented the vision, mission, and background of why Universitas Terbuka was established as an open and distance higher education institution (PTTJJ). UT is committed to continuously improving the quality of education management and services, leading to significant changes in the current quality of management and services. These developments have received recognition nationally and internationally, with the goal of increasing access to higher education services to reach 1 million students. UT needs to continuously improve the quality of its best educational services across all areas, including in all UT regions and international services.
The purpose of the delegation’s visit from the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines (CHED) is to raise awareness to expand partnerships and collaborations in the field of education, especially in distance education. It is expected that this visit will have a positive impact, particularly in improving collaboration, partnerships, and as a promotional step on an international scale.
The delegation from the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines (CHED) includes Lesele O. Condeza – IZN Focal, MIMAROPA, Rachel Casimero – IZN Focal, Region 5, Catherine O. Iglesias – IZN Focal, Region 8, Arlita Amapola B. Minguez – Region 10/CHED, Amalia Seranno – Senior Office, Theodore Soukotta – Project Officer, – IZN Focal, Region 5. This was followed by an in-depth discussion session between the delegation and the speakers on topics such as the online based learning process and the implementation of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program. Thus, the delegation from CHEDRO Philippines gained insights into the development of UT distance learning innovations, covering aspects of learning design, the ecosystem, system, and comprehensive teaching material service practices.
The event continued with friendly interactions and visits to various units, including P2BAM and the ICE Institute. This meeting serves as an important platform for knowledge sharing, stimulating the birth of various innovations, and promoting closer collaboration between the two institutions.
