2024 is a year of momentum for Universitas Terbuka (UT). After two years as a State University with Legal Entity (PTN-BH) status, UT continues to transform to provide the latest breakthroughs and innovations, particularly in enhancing the quality of education services and access to higher education. This is in line with the government’s mandate for UT to be an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution providing educational access to all, with the tagline “Open Higher Education Open To All.”
Following this mandate and aligning with its PTN-BH status, UT is taking innovative steps by opening new departments. The launch of these new programs is a concrete step by UT to address the current challenges and needs of society. Therefore, UT has launched two flagship departments, as follows:
Bachelor in Data Science Department at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), offered in seven UT Regional Offices with the Non-Face-to-Face Tutorial (TTM) Semester Package System (SIPAS) service scheme, namely at UT Denpasar, UT Mataram, UT Palembang, UT Jakarta, UT Bogor, UT Serang, and UT Bandung.
Bachelor in Taxation Department at the Faculty of Law, Social and Political Sciences (FHISIP), offered at all UT Regional Offices and Overseas Services with the Semester Package System (SIPAS) service scheme. The Non-SIPAS service scheme will be offered in the Odd Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
The launch event for the Bachelor in Data Science and Taxation Departments was held hybrid on June 24, 2024, at Wisma 2, Rasamala Room, Universitas Terbuka, Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, for in-person attendees, and via Zoom Meeting and UTTV Youtube Channel for online participants. The launch was themed
“Membangun Generasi Emas Melalui Kampus Berkualias”
The event was attended by the Mayor of Tangerang Selatan, Drs. H. Benyamin Davnie, represented by Deputy Mayor H. Pilar Saga Ichsan, S.T.; Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) Banten, Mr. Cucu Supriatna, S.H., M.H., represented by Mokh. Solikhun, Head of P2 Public Relations DJP Banten; General Chair of the DPP APTIKOM, Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Achmad Benny Mutiara, Q.N, S.Si, S.Kom.; Rector of UT, Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D.; UT Vice Rectors; Chair of the Board of Trustees; Chair of the University Academic Senate; leaders of the Faculties of Science and Technology (FST) and Law, Social and Political Sciences (FHISIP); and leaders from the Bachelor in Data Science and Taxation Departments, as well as officials within UT Headquarters.
The event commenced with an opening by the MC, followed by singing the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, and the UT Hymn. This was followed by a report from the UT Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, S.S., M.A. In his report, he expressed pride in the launch of the new departments. He stated that the launch of these departments is a tangible commitment by UT to address the complex needs and challenges escalations of the times. “I hope these new departments can function smoothly and successfully, and make a real contribution to the development of science and the improvement of human resources quality in Indonesia,” he stated. This was followed by a speech from the Rector of UT, Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D. In his speech, he emphasized that the launch of the new departments is a concrete step by UT after becoming PTN-BH. He believes that as a PTN-BH, UT has more flexibility in fulfilling the government’s mandate to increase the Gross Enrollment Rate (APK) of higher education in Indonesia. With these new departments, UT hopes to reach a wider audience. Additional speeches were delivered by representatives from Asosiasi Pendidikan Tinggi Informatika dan Komputer (APTIKOM), Microsoft Indonesia, and the Mayor of Tangerang Selatan, represented by the Deputy Mayor. They expressed great enthusiasm and support for UT’s initiatives, highlighting that the new departments are expected to generate graduates, relevant to industry requirements and, importantly, increase higher education access for the public.
The Bachelor in Data Science Department was launched based on UT Rector’s Decree No. 1086 of 2024, dated February 19, 2024. The aim is to produce professional graduates in various fields such as Data Engineering, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Functional Data and Information Analyst across sectors like business, industry, environment, education, and social, both in government and private sectors. The curriculum is developed to meet national competency standards in data processing and the functional role of scientific data analysts, ensuring graduates are competitive and relevant to industry needs.
The Bachelor in Taxation Department was launched based on UT Rector’s Decree No. 751 of 2024. It aims to produce graduates as Tax Analysts, Tax Consultants, Tax Specialists, Tax Educators, and Tax Administrators with strong theoretical knowledge and practical application skills. These graduates are expected to face workplace challenges and contribute positively to the national economy. The curriculum provides comprehensive knowledge of national and international tax systems and practical skills relevant to the tax industry. Students will gain an understanding of tax principles, regulations, and relevant analysis and reporting techniques in the digital era.
In addition to launching new departments, UT is committed to improving education quality and expanding access to higher education. To fulfill this commitment, UT continues to collaborate with leading partners and stakeholders. This includes signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandums of Agreements (MoA) with several partners. MoUs were signed between UT Rector Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., and President Director of PT Microsoft Indonesia, Dharma Simorangkir; General Secretary of Asosiasi Ilmuwan Data Indonesia (AIDI), Bagus Rully Muttaqien; and Sales and Business Development – APJ Public Sector AWS, Dery Agung Triyadi. These MoUs cover the enhancement of human resource quality and capacity at the university and improving the quality of higher education implementation, MBKM implementation, and resource empowerment. A Memorandum of Agreements was signed between the Dean of FST UT, Dr. Subekti Nurmawati, M.Si., and General Secretary of AIDI, Bagus Rully Muttaqien, on the enhancement of Tri Dharma Pendidikan; between the Dean of FHISIP UT, Dr. Meita Istianda, S.IP., M.Si., and Chair 1 of Asosiasi Teknisi Perpajakan Indonesia (ATPI), Drs. Samidin, Ak., M.M., on Tax Competency Certification and Internship Program Partnership; and between the Dean of FHISIP UT, Dr. Meita Istianda, S.IP., M.Si., and Director of PT Pratama Indomitra Konsultan, Dr. H. Prianto Budi Saptono, Ak., CA., M.B.A., on Tax Brevet Training, Internship Program, and Tax Research Partnership.
The launch of two new departments and the collaboration with partners demonstrates UT’s commitment and leadership in enhancing and expanding higher education access to the public. This aligns with the Indonesian government’s mandate for UT. As a pioneer in distance higher education, UT will continue to provide excellent education services and capabilities based on information technology to produce graduates who are competitive both globally and internationally, thus contributing to the realization of Indonesia Emas 2045.
