On Friday, January 12, 2024, a historic milestone was reached in the Rasamala Room, Wisma 2 of Universitas Terbuka (UT). Universitas Terbuka and the Government of North Bolaang Mongondow Regency (Bolmut) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding equitable access to higher education in the region.

Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., UT’s Rector, in his address, unveiled UT’s rapid development due to the support of both the central and regional governments. This enables UT to provide higher education services to all layers of Indonesian society. UT has a strong mandate to serve everyone, including those in remote areas, with affordable tuition fees ranging from 35,000 to 65,000 Indonesian Rupiahs. UT also offers affordable semester packages.

UT stands as the only State University (PTN) implementing the Open and Distance Education Program (PTTJJ), allowing students to study anywhere and anytime. This provides equal opportunities for students from various backgrounds, including farmers and fishermen, to earn bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at UT.

Currently, UT serves more than 525,000 students from within and outside Indonesia, spread across 52 countries, thus providing limitless service.

“If only I knew about UT earlier, I might have chosen UT and not have to leave my parents for years to pursue higher education,” said Sirajudin Lasena, SE., M.Ec. Dev, Acting Regent of North Bolaang Mongondow Regency. He warmly welcomed this collaboration, with a focus on improving Human Resources (HR) quality in his region. This MoU is not just a formal signature; it will be implemented with the minimum target of one UT graduate in every village and the improvement of qualifications for teachers and civil servants in Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD).

This collaboration will open the door to equitable access to higher education in Bolmut, realizing the dreams of many young generations and supporting the development of superior HR.