On September 4, 2024, Universitas Terbuka (UT) marked a historic milestone, celebrating its 40th anniversary since its establishment in 1984. UT has solidified its existence and played a vital role in Indonesia’s educational ecosystem. As a pioneer in Open and Distance Learning (ODL), UT remains committed to providing quality higher education access to all layers of society in Indonesia. In 2024, UT achieved an A Accreditation from BAN-PT and several international accreditations for its flagship programs, reaffirming its status as a leading educational institution.
The highlight of UT’s 40th Anniversary celebration took place on September 4, 2024, with the theme “UT Provides Quality Education Without Limits.” The event was held in a hybrid format at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) and online via Zoom Meeting and YouTube Live Streaming, attended by all UT staff from the central and regional offices, students, and alumni spread across Indonesia.
The Head of UT’s 40th Anniversary Committee, Dr. Subekti Nurmawati, M.Si., opened the event by expressing gratitude to all UT academic community as well as stakeholders who have proven the unity of UT’s large family, including all staff, students, and alumni from across Indonesia. “Today, September 4, 2024, is a very special moment for all of us, as UT has journeyed for four decades as a leading open and distance learning university in Indonesia,” she stated.
She also noted that the series of events for UT’s 40th Anniversary began on May 20, 2024, involving UT’s academic community from the central and regional offices and stakeholders. The activities included the National UT Sports and Arts Week, Enhancement of Academic Integrity, Expansion of Student Access and Services, and Improvement of Governance Quality and Capacity (UT Award and Rector Award).
In his speech, UT Rector Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., emphasized that at 40 years old, UT has further solidified its identity as a Mega University in the ASEAN region, based on the reference by distance education figure Sir John Daniel. He also noted that as UT enters its fourth decade, it faces increasingly complex challenges. UT must always move forward and adapt, requiring strategies to strengthen its identity through 1) Enhancing Academic Integrity, 2) Expanding Access to Education, and 3) Strengthening Global Partnerships. “With the spirit of these four decades, we will be able to strengthen our aspiration to become a quality ODL institution serving one million students,” he concluded.
During the 40th Anniversary Peak Event, UT presented the UT Awards to honor and appreciate its best partners. The UT Awards were given as follows:
– Citra Paramesti to Ir. H. Hendy Siswanto, S.T. IPU. ASEAN Eng. (Regent of Jember) as the Best Individual Partner from UT Jember, represented by Harry Agustriono, ATD, MT, Assistant of General Administration. Paramesti means the one who stands at the forefront in Sanskrit. This award is given to individuals outside Universitas Terbuka who have consistently supported and promoted UT.
– Citra Saghatana to the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) as the Best Institutional Partner from the Directorate of Academic Administration and Graduation (DAAK), received by Jonathan Gerhard Tarigan, S.ST., head of BSRE. Saghatana means organization in Sanskrit. This award is given to organizations, institutions, government, and private entities that provide exceptional support to Universitas Terbuka.
– Citra Pararta to Media Indonesia as the Best Media Partner, awarded to Abdul Kohar, Director of Media Indonesia News. Pararta means news in Sanskrit. This award is given to media that have positively reported about Universitas Terbuka in terms of both quantity and quality.
The event continued with the announcement of winners in the 4th Decade UT Anniversary Competition categories:
– Outstanding Study Program Chair: Alpin Herman Saputra, S.Pd., M.Pd. (Head of the PGSD Study Program)
– Outstanding Lecturer: Astri Dwi Jayanti Suhandoko, M.Ed., Ph.D. (Postgraduate School)
– Best Online Tutor: Darsih Idayani, M.Si. (Faculty of Science and Technology)
– Academic Product Innovation: Dr. Sudirman, M.Pd. (Postgraduate School)
– Scopus Award: Dr. Lilik Sulistyowati, M.Si. (Faculty of Science and Technology)
– Sinta Score Award: Dr. Juhana, M.Pd. (Master’s Program in English Education)
– Most Intellectual Property Rights: Dr. Budi Prasetyo, M.Si. (Faculty of Science and Technology)
– Best Community Service Article: Dr. Bachtiar, S.S., M.Pd. & Team (Postgraduate School)
– Exemplary Educational Staff: Fredy Abdallah, S.Kom. (Research and Sports Center)
– Outstanding Archivist: Ninis Sukma Dahliyanti, S.Pd. (UT Pontianak)
– Outstanding IT Staff: Retno Handayani, S.Si.
– Outstanding Finance Manager: Adisti Novika Dewi, S.E. (Student Affairs and Alumni Directorate)
– Outstanding Procurement Officer: Elvira Widiyan, S.E. (General Affairs Directorate)
– Best Security Personnel: Wawan Kardiyawan (Team Commander)
– Best Environmental and Building Maintenance Personnel: Tony Lesmana (Gardening)
– Best Regional UT: UT Bandung
– Best UT Alumni Association (IKA UT): IKA UT Purwokerto
– Best SALUT Center: SALUT Cendikia Sukabumi
– Winner of the National High School Essay Contest: Yukari Sasi Kirani (SMAN 5 Surabaya, East Java).
The Peak Event of the 40th Anniversary also featured the presentation of the MURI Award to UT for its achievements:
1. The university with the most widespread locations (37 cities/regencies) for the national Mobile Legends Bang Bang Youth Universitas Terbuka (MY-UT) e-Sports Tournament for high school teams or equivalent.
2. The university that organized the Table Tennis Tournament with the most participants (631 students).
3. The university with the highest number of End-of-Semester Exam Answer Sheets managed (2,978,990 copies).
The MURI Award was presented by Tri Mulyono to UT Rector, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., accompanied by the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Partnership, and Business, Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., the Head of the UT Anniversary and National Sports and Arts Week Committees.
The 40th Anniversary Peak Event concluded with the Torch Extinguishing Ceremony and the Handover of the Anniversary and Sports Week Committees from the 2024 UT Anniversary Committee from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) to the 2025 UT Anniversary Committee from the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) and the Postgraduate School (SPs).
With UT reaching its 40-year milestone, the institution is increasingly committed to continually providing quality education to all. UT is ready to adapt and meet the demands of the times, positioning itself as a strategic partner in developing excellent and globally competitive human resources.
