Universitas Terbuka continues to innovate by implementing a world-class open and distance higher education institution. A number of collaborations and international synergies have been established to support the quality enhancement of UT Services in organizing the learning process and managing Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, not to mention that UT has become PTNBH. On April 29, 2024, Universitas Terbuka delegations visited Chungbuk National University (CBNU) in Cheongju, South Korea, to establish the MoU between UT and CBNU and the MoA between the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of UT and the International Development Institute of CBNU 

This international partnership program becomes a strategic collaboration since one of the further steps is the development of the entrepreneurship department at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of UT, which has been discussed in 2023. This project involves several partners, including KRIVET (Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training) under the Ministry of Labour of South Korea and IDI (International Development Institute, Chungbuk National University). Moreover, UT had a supporting fund, 10 million US Dollars from KOICA FUND, for 5-year project funding in 2026-2031 to implement the Entrepreneurship department, learning center development, and the learning quality enhancement at Universitas Terbuka.

So, UT delegations, led by Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D  as UT Rector, on the occasion when meeting with IDI-CBNU Director, discussed technical matters to follow up the international collaboration scheme. UT Delegations consist of the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Dr.  Meirani Harsasi, M.Si., the Vice-Dean for Student Affairs, Learning Service, and Partnerships at FEB,  Olivia Idrus, SE., M.Sc ., the Head of Marketing and Public Relations Sub Directorate, and a Lecturer of FEB, Dr. Maya Maria, S.E., M.M., the Advisor of FEB of UT for International Partnerships, Prof. Dr. Nafsia Mohamed, and the UT Lecturer as well as the event coordinator,  Halim Dedy Perdana, S.E., M.SM., M.Rech, Ak. Meanwhile, the delegations from SBNU consist of Prof. Young-Chool Choi (Director of CNU International Development Institute CBNU), JiYoun Kang (Research Professor), MiYoung Kim (Research Professor), Masatsugu Nemoto, Ph.D. (Research Professor), M. YunHee Lee (Researcher), and BoYeong Park (young professional). 

Professor Young-Chool Choi warmly welcomed the arrival of the UT Rector and team and then provided an overview of CBNU’s mission, including the development of operational system models and research related to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Professor Young-Chool Choi also emphasized that collaboration between UT and CBNU should be preceded by the formulation of a Project Concept Paper (PCP) from BAPPENAS. Professor Ojat expressed support for various forms of collaboration between UT and CBNU to enhance UT’s capabilities and the quality of its future business processes. This collaboration project, especially related to the development of the Entrepreneurship Department, will be coordinated by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UT, Dr. Meirani Harsasi, M.Sc., and her team after the visit. 

The following strategic moment occurred when the UT Rector and delegation were received by CBNU President Prof. Chang Seop Koh and his team at the CBNU Rectorate Building for a courtesy visit and to explore further opportunities for collaboration between UT and CBNU, particularly in elaborating the development of UT lecturers human resource competencies for Master’s and Doctoral studies at CBNU, or other forms of collaboration besides with FEB of UT. During this courtesy visit and joint discussion, the UT Rector and CBNU President were joined by CBNU leaders including Professor Tae Soo You, Dean of the Office of International Affairs; Professor Ki Seok Choi, General Manager of the Office of International Affairs; Yoanna Cho, Team Lead of the International Relations Team; Lin Hongzhi, event coordinator; Professor Young-Chool Choi and Masatsugu Nemoto, Ph.D. (IDI-CBNU team), and also two international students from Indonesia. The strategic exploration concluded with the UT Rector and CBNU President agreeing that besides receiving a $10 million grant for the vocational entrepreneurship program from 2026 to 2031, UT would also have the opportunity for fully funded scholarship programs for UT staff and selected undergraduate alumni. Through this strategic meeting between the leaders of UT and CBNU, it is hoped that future collaboration will include enhancing the competencies of UT lecturers for advanced studies at CBNU, conducting joint research, exchanging speakers in international seminars, exchanging students as part of the MBKM program, and other forms of collaboration to be agreed upon by both parties. Thus, these efforts aim to enhance the global image and quality of UT in the future.