Universitas Terbuka (UT), under the coordination of Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (LPPM), continues to strengthen its academic credibility through the implementation of ‘Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi,’ particularly research and community service activities (PkM). UT consistently encourages its faculty and academic community to collaborate on research with university partners or other institutions, both domestic and international. Currently, UT collaborates on research with OU5, ICE Institute, Huawei, and BRIN. UT also participates in the Indonesian Collaborative Research initiated by the LPPM Forum from 21 PTNBH, allowing UT to balance and learn from other universities to become stronger in research.
To begin the year 2024, Penyerahan Kontrak Penelitian & Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM) dan Anugrah Karya Inovasi & Pengabdian Universitas Terbuka (UT) Tahun Anggaran 2024 were presented at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The theme of this LPPM event is “Realizing UT as a World-Class University through Research and Community Service.”
The event includes (1) the handover of research and PkM contracts for the fiscal year 2024, (2) screening and presentation of the Catalog of Innovation and Service Works of UT for the Nation in 2023, and (3) Catha Sancaya Awards for Universitas Terbuka. The ceremony was attended by the Rector of Universitas Terbuka (UT), Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., the Chair of the Academic Senate of the University, Vice Rector of UT, Chair of Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (LPPM) of UT, Deans and Directors of Postgraduate Schools, Directors at UT Central and UT Regional offices, Heads of Centers, Vice Deans, Program Chairs, as well as Faculty Members, Functional Staff, and invited guests, both physically and virtually.
The event began with a speech by the Chair of UT LPPM, Prof. Dra. Dewi Artati Padmo Putri, M.A., Ph.D. In her speech, she emphasized the crucial role of innovation in research and technology in supporting higher education transformation in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and Society 5.0. LPPM UT supports the submission and downstreaming of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and the commercialization of research and innovation. This support is expected to enhance the implementation of UT innovative works in improving the quality of education, society, and industry.
“Universitas Terbuka (UT), as a State University (PTN) with a Distance Education (PJJ) approach, supports researchers and community service practitioners in creating innovative works that meet the needs of the community, the business world, and industry,” emphasized Prof. Dewi. “UT realizes this support through the ‘Catalog of Innovation and Community Service Works’ for 2023, an LPPM initiative to document and inspire researchers and PkM practitioners at UT. The catalog covers research results in scientific fields, distance education, and community service implementation. This catalog is expected to be a medium for UT inventors and innovators in developing sustainable research and innovation ecosystems,” added Prof. Dewi.
After the speech from LPPM Chairperson, the Rector of UT, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., addressed the audience, officially opening the Research and Community Service (PkM) Contract Handover Activity and presenting the Innovation and Service Awards for UT to the Nation. In his speech, he mentioned that as a university, UT is obligated to carry out the ‘Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi,’ including research and community service activities, which are mandatory for faculty members.
Additionally, Prof. Ojat commended LPPM for pioneering International PkM activities in developing countries bordering UT regions, such as Timor Leste, Sabah Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. He hopes that International PkM activities will benefit the local communities. International PkM Assignment activities, carried out simultaneously with other activities abroad, such as participating in conferences overseas, are positive initiatives to introduce Indonesian culture internationally.
Prof. Ojat also expressed pride and appreciation for LPPM with the launch of the Catalog of Innovation and Service Works for UT to the Nation, containing the results of research and community service innovations by UT academic community, and for the organization of this event. He hopes that this catalog can be published periodically, allowing UT to publicize the innovative works of UT academic community. This event will become UT annual platform, demonstrating that UT continues to encourage faculty and staff to evolve and develop UT through innovative research activities, and by taking those results to implement to the field to build Indonesian society.
To achieve the target number of research and community service activities, UT provides internal funding to faculty and staff each year. In 2024, UT allocated funds amounting to Rp37.1 billion. In the implementation of PkM, UT faculty members are expected to engage with the community to apply their knowledge and technology, accelerating growth and achieving national development goals. In 2024, UT provided funding exceeding Rp5.5 billion. This remarkable funding allocation reflects UT commitment in implementing darma penelitian and community service. Moreover, in 2024, the signing of agreements for Research and Community Service Assignments for 2024 can be done using electronic signatures (e-signatures) and e-stamps, promoting a digital learning ecosystem.
UT has also initiated International PkM activities in developing countries bordering UT regions. Currently, the targets for International PkM are in Timor Leste, Sabah Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Hopefully, these International PkM activities will benefit the communities supported by UT.
Research and Community Service activities at UT are routinely conducted each year. Every faculty member is required to engage in research and PkM activities, either as a project leader or as a team member. Innovative works and community service results are well-documented in the Catalog of Innovation and Community Service for Universitas Terbuka to the Nation. This catalog is a compilation of works initiated by UT academic community in 2023.
UT is committed to developing the potential of faculty Members or functional Staffs through research activities for the development of science in producing innovative and practical products. Exceptionally innovative and useful products are then awarded the Catha Sancaya Universitas Terbuka. Catha Sancaya refers to the care and involvement, active participation in doing something for the environment and society. This involvement and participation are realized through professions or learning outcomes from the knowledge gained in life. This year, UT awarded 10 Catha Sancaya awards to research and PkM teams.
UT continues its commitment to developing the potential of faculty and staff through research activities for the development of innovative and practical applied research.
