Following the peak celebration of its 40th Anniversary, Universitas Terbuka (UT) continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of distance education management by holding the 2024 Distance Education Management Review Meeting (RTM MPJJ). This periodic review is conducted to evaluate the performance of the quality management system and institutional services, ensuring the sustainability, relevance, adequacy, effectiveness, and alignment with UT’s strategic direction. RTM MPJJ also serves as a crucial forum to ensure that findings from the Internal Quality Assessment of Distance Education (AMI MPJJ) are properly addressed and to confirm that UT’s internal quality assurance system functions effectively and efficiently to improve overall distance education management. Through RTM MPJJ, UT can ensure that distance education provides significant value and benefits to students and the community.
This year’s RTM MPJJ carries the theme “From Vision to Action: Guiding UT’s Transformation as a World-Class PTNBH through Sustainable RTM MPJJ.” With this theme, RTM MPJJ aims to oversee UT’s transformation process as an Autonomous State University (PTN-BH) in its efforts to realize its vision and mission of becoming a world-class distance education institution in distance education management. The RTM MPJJ is also expected to provide various alternative solutions, strategies, and recommendations for UT’s policies, especially in strengthening governance and services to improve quality, public recognition, and support UT’s PTN-BH transformation.
The event was attended by the Rector of Universitas Terbuka, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., the Head of the Board of Trustees (MWA) of Universitas Terbuka, represented by MWA Secretary Dr. Ake Wihadanto, S.E., M.T., Chair of the UT Academic Senate (SAU), Prof. Dr. Chanif Nurcholis, M.Si., and other UT leaderships, including Vice Rectors, Deans, Directors of the Graduate School, LPPM Chair, Directors of Directorates, Heads of Offices, Heads of Centers, Directors of UT Regional Offices, Vice Deans for Student Affairs, Learning Services, and Partnership, Deputy Director I for Academic Affairs at the Graduate School, SAU Secretary, Expert Staff to the Rector and Vice-Rectors, Managers of Analysis and Development of Regulations at SRUH, Managers at UT Central Office, Sub-directors at DAAK and DSI, Managers/Coordinators/Heads of Sub-divisions at UT Regional Offices, speakers, moderators, and notulists.
In his opening remarks, the Rector emphasized the importance of sustainable RTM MPJJ as a strategic step to ensure that the distance education system remains relevant and effective in the digital and global era. The 2024 RTM MPJJ also highlighted a comprehensive evaluation of the past year’s performance, planning follow-up actions for continuous improvement and innovation, and strategic steps to maintain and ensure the relevance and effectiveness of UT’s distance education system as a high-quality education that meets the needs of students and the demands of the digital and global era.
He also added that UT needs to implement an integrated transformation strategy focusing on developing relevant curricula, adopting cutting-edge technology, enhancing research capacity and community service, developing human resources, expanding international collaborations, and strengthening the quality assurance system to become a world-class PTN-BH with a distance learning system.
On the first day of the RTM MPJJ, UT leadership discussed evaluating the past year’s performance and planning follow-up actions for continuous improvement and enhanced services to reduce potential risks and improve service quality, along with public recognition. The RTM covers each area overseen by the Vice Rectors, based on recommendations from the previous year’s RTM MPJJ and parameters based on quality standards set by KPM, as well as student and partner satisfaction surveys.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between UT, the Provincial Government of Central Sulawesi, and the Asah Pena Foundation, represented by the Rector of UT, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., the Governor of Central Sulawesi, H. Rusdy Mastura, and the General Head of the Asah Pena Foundation, Prof. Dr. Seto Mulyadi, M.Si., Psychologist. The scope of the MoU between UT and the Asah Pena Foundation includes enhancing competencies and educational qualifications and conducting the tri dharma of higher education: education, research, and community service, as well as improving human resources, including Civil Servants (ASN) and teachers pursuing undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees. Meanwhile, the MoU between UT and the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government is mainly about education, research, community service, resource enhancement and empowerment, and other mutually agreed activities. This collaboration is expected to drive UT’s continued development as an institution that contributes to advancing education within the community.
