In its effort to maintain academic credibility and deliver quality education, Universitas Terbuka (UT) continuously works on improving and raising the standards of Open and Distance Learning education (PTTJJ/Pendidikan Tinggi Terbuka Jarak Jauh) on an international scale since 2005. UT periodically and consistently strives to enhance the quality of its educational services to become a leading provider of Distance Higher Education (PTJJ).
One significant step taken by UT to improve and ensure the quality of educational services is by inviting quality reviewers from the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). This year, UT has undergone quality review for the fifth time by ICDE, previously conducted in 2005, 2010, 2016, and 2019.
The 5th team of quality reviewers from ICDE, which granted UT international certification for the quality standards of ODL provision, consists of Prof. Ebba Ossiannilsson (Chair of the ICDE OER Advocacy Committee and ICDE OER Ambassador for Global Advocacy, Sweden), Prof. Morten Flate Paulsen (The Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Former ICDE Secretary-General), and Prof. Kam Cheong Li (Dean of the School of Open Learning at Hong Kong Metropolitan University). The assessment results from these ICDE quality reviewers explicitly declare, through the acquisition of the certificate, that UT has successfully implemented international standards for quality assurance in distance higher education.
The ICDE quality reviewers ensured that the entire business process of UT distance education, from recruitment processes, instructional material development, learning services, assessments, to the institutional management system of PTJJ UT, adheres to international standards.
As known, ICDE strongly emphasizes the importance of quality assurance in higher education systems for PTTJJ. The quality review conducted by ICDE aims to enhance and support the quality of open and distance education institutions. The quality review process at UT involves various parties, including UT Chancellors (rectorate, faculties/graduate schools, study programs, and heads of other units) at the Central UT Office and UT Regional offices. It also involves students, alumni, and tutors. The 5th review took place over five days at the Central UT Office and UT Regional offices in Jambi, Bandung, and Malang, from July 17-21, 2023.
During the event, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., UT Rector, expressed that receiving the 5th international certification for PTJJ standards signifies that Universitas Terbuka always aligns its Institutional Quality Assurance in Higher Education with the best standards agreed upon by the international consortium of open and distance higher education.
Prof. Ojat added that UT is determined to continue improving service quality and increasing student participation in the learning process. He emphasized that UT continues to ensure the quality of PTJJ implementation processes. “Quality is the most important pillar of UT and will be continuously maintained in the future,” stated the Rector.
The Rector expressed gratitude for the 5th ICDE certificate acquisition by linking it to the expectations of Prof. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D. IPU, Asean Eng., Acting Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, towards Universitas Terbuka. Prof. Nizam had previously appreciated all the efforts made by UT to pursuit its vision to become the best PTJJ campus initiator globally. “Access to PTJJ, as done by UT, opens opportunities for the community, especially young people facing geographical barriers to quality education,” said Prof. Nizam.
Prof. Ebba Ossiannilsson had previously expressed appreciation for UT, stating, “All lecturers, employees, managers, and administrators working at Universitas Terbuka have applied the principles of PJJ campuses and live them wholeheartedly, from hands to heart to head.” Prof. Ebba’s hope for UT is to collaborate in improving the quality of educational services and institutional management of open and distance higher education, to gain more international recognition and reach students abroad.
Prof. Morten Flate Paulsen, in his review, highlighted UT role in implementing PTJJ based on digital technology. “UT characteristic compared to conventional universities is that it is open to everyone, including workers, housewives, and disabled groups who are unable to study at conventional universities. Everyone can study at UT. Through PTJJ, all can be served,” explained Prof. Morten.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kam Cheong Li previously expressed appreciation for UT sincere commitment to demonstrating international quality. “As one of the open universities in Asia, UT service quality continues to improve,” said Prof. Kam Cheong Li.
With reviews conducted by international institutions like ICDE, UT continues to strive to improve its quality to become a world-class open and distance education institution. This is a manifestation of UT commitment to maintaining strong academic credibility. As a provider of higher education and distance learning, UT significantly provides access to quality education for the entire Indonesian population due to its flexible learning system. The inputs and suggestions from the reviewers in ICDE quality review are expected to enhance the quality of learning services to all UT students, wherever they are.
