In an effort to strengthen international cooperation in education, the Graduate School of Universitas Terbuka (SPs UT) held an important meeting with the Education and Culture Attaché (Atdikbud) in Canberra, Australia. The meeting took place at the SPs UT Conference Hall 3 on Saturday, September 21, 2024. 

The event was attended by Dr. Joko Rizkie Widokarti, S.E., M.M., Vice Director II of Non-Academic Affairs at SPs UT, faculty members, and student representatives. On behalf of Atdikbud, Prof. Mukhamad Najib, Indonesia’s Education and Culture Attaché in Canberra, Australia, was also present. 

In his remarks, Dr. Joko Rizkie Widokarti emphasized the importance of international collaboration in improving the quality of higher education in Indonesia. He also highlighted UT’s commitment to creating new opportunities in education, research, and community service through global partnerships with various institutions. 

Prof. Mukhamad Najib appreciated UT’s initiative in organizing this meeting. In addition to delivering a public lecture to the graduate management students at UT, he also saw great potential for developing partnerships between UT and educational institutions in Australia. Prof. Najib expressed hope that this meeting would result in collaborative programs beneficial to both countries. 

Several key agendas were discussed during the meeting, including opportunities for collaboration in double degree programs, faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research, and the development of research-based curricula that can be implemented in both Indonesia and Australia. This meeting marked a strategic step for UT in expanding its global network and solidifying its position as a pioneer of distance education capable of competing on the international stage.