South Tangerang, May 2, 2025 – Universitas Terbuka (UT) officially opened its 41st Dies Natalis celebration and the National Scientific Discussion, Sports, and Arts Week (DISPORSENI Nasional) UT 2025 on Friday (May 2) at the UT Convention Center (UTCC), Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang. The tagline for this year’s UT Dies Natalis is “Limitless Innovation, Realizing Quality Education,” in line with UT’s spirit and commitment to supporting equitable education, shaping national character, and addressing the challenges of Golden Indonesia 2045. Meanwhile, the theme for DISPORSENI Nasional UT 2025 is “Carving Achievements, Weaving Togetherness Towards Golden Indonesia.”
The event was attended by the Deputy for Coordination of Education Quality Improvement, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D.; the Rector of UT, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, S.S., M.A.; the Chairperson of the UT Board of Trustees (MWA), Prof. Ainun Na’im, M.B.A., Ph.D.; the Chairperson of the Academic Senate, Prof. Chanif Nurcholis, M.Si.; former Rectors; Vice-Rectors; Leaders of UT Partner Institutions; the Chairperson of the UT Alumni Association and their ranks; the Chairperson of the South Tangerang National Sports Committee (KONI), Hamka Handaru; Deans and the Director of the Postgraduate School; Leaders within UT; as well as all employees and students attending both online and offline.
The event was opened spectacularly with the screening of the video “Universitas Terbuka Realizes SDGs” as a tangible form of UT’s contribution to sustainable development. The series of events then continued with a traditional dance performance, a flashback video of last year’s achievements “All About the 40th Dies Natalis and DISPORSENI 2024,” and the official report from the Chairperson of the National DISPORSENI UT 2025, Prof. Dr. Maman Rumanta, M.Si. In his report, Prof. Maman conveyed that the 41st Dies Natalis and National Disporseni 2025 series of events will take place from April to September 2025. This celebration features 41 activities involving around 1,500 participants from employees, students, and the general public.
He also emphasized that this year’s activities not only focus on academic improvement but also on strengthening governance, services, and social contributions. “We hope that the 41st Dies Natalis and Disporseni in 2025 will be a valuable momentum to develop self-potential, strengthen relationships, and reinforce the identity of Universitas Terbuka as an inclusive, quality, and spirited university,” he said in his opening remarks.
National Disporseni 2025 is also being held in online and offline formats with the theme “Carving Achievements, Weaving Togetherness Towards Golden Indonesia.” The competition will involve participants from 39 UT Regional Offices, one UT Overseas, students from other universities, as well as high school/equivalent students, who will compete in 17 branches of competition in a sporting and positive manner.
The main highlight came from the remarks by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menko PMK RI), Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., delivered online. In his remarks, he congratulated Universitas Terbuka on the opening of its 41st Dies Natalis series of events. He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude for UT’s significant contribution over more than four decades in providing equitable and quality higher education for all the nation’s children. “UT is present by breaking down the barriers of space and time and has proven to reach all corners of the archipelago,” said Prof. Pratikno.
Prof. Pratikno also stated that UT, as a pioneer of open and distance higher education, provides learning opportunities for all people without the limitations of space and time. UT contributes to increasing access to education for 3T (foremost, outermost, disadvantaged) areas and communities with limited access to conventional universities.
“This proves that higher education can be present fairly and equitably, meaning UT has an extraordinary impact on the country,” stated the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Affairs.
In addition, Prof. Pratikno also appreciated the holding of this DISPORSENI, which he said is an extraordinary event that combines the spirit of sportsmanship and artistic creativity.
“Appreciation for the implementation of the National DISPORSENI UT 2025 as a platform for developing creativity, sportsmanship, and innovation for students and pupils from all over Indonesia,” concluded Prof. Pratikno.
Furthermore, Prof. Pratikno also revealed that UT is a pioneer in the automation of educational administration, which increases the efficiency of UT’s academic and operational services. UT has developed AI-based interactive content, including simulations and multimedia, which enhances learning engagement and effectiveness.
“UT is at the forefront of implementing technology-based learning material development, grounding it in digital ethics so that AI can be utilized wisely and responsibly. It is hoped that UT will become a center for innovation in creating AI technology to build an independent Indonesian digital ecosystem,” said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Affairs.
On the same occasion, the Rector of UT, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, S.S., M.A., also delivered remarks that simultaneously opened the National DISPORSENI UT 2025 and the 41st UT Dies Natalis. In his speech, Mohamad Yunus stated that this year’s theme is a manifestation of UT’s commitment to building an innovative and inclusive learning system. The Rector of UT emphasized that this theme reflects the spirit of reaching all levels of society without the limitations of distance, time, or social conditions. “Universitas Terbuka affirms its vision to realize inclusive education, where every individual has an equal opportunity to access quality education,” said Mohamad Yunus in his opening remarks.
Mohamad Yunus also emphasized that the National Disporseni UT 2025 is not just a competition event but also a momentum to strengthen sportsmanship, creativity, and togetherness among students from all over Indonesia. In addition to upholding achievements, this activity also serves as a vehicle for shaping superior, healthy, and cultured character. The Rector of UT expressed his appreciation to the strategic partners who supported the organization of this event. “Hopefully, this entire series of activities can be an inspiring and innovative platform to develop the potential and achievements of students,” he said. The event was officially opened with the hope that all participants can compete healthily and uphold the values of sportsmanship.
The event continued with the official opening by the Rector of UT through a ceremony of pinning DISPORSENI Nasional UT 2025 shirts and pins to student athletes, the inauguration of the rebranding of the new flag colors of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and the Postgraduate School (SPs), and the introduction of the Vocational School (SV) flag. The reading of the athletes’ and referees’ oaths also added to the solemn atmosphere, reinforcing the values of sportsmanship and integrity of all participants.
Interestingly, this event also featured a Public Figure Talkshow session that provided real inspiration and motivation from two public figures, both to students and the wider community, about the importance of education as a means for self and professional development. This Public Figure Talkshow session presented extraordinary figures: Kris Dayanti, a renowned singer or Indonesian Diva who is currently also a UT student in the Government Science Study Program at FHISIP UT. It also featured Nyimas Dewi Ratih Kamil, S.AP., BMGT., M.M., M.A., a UT alumna who is a Commissioner of PT. Bank Raya Indonesia, Tbk. This talkshow also demonstrated that UT optimizes the empowerment of UT students, especially public figures, to introduce and strengthen UT’s existence, from its flexibility to its various programs.
Kris Dayanti and Nyimas Dewi Ratih, in the TPF forum, conveyed that education is the main key and weapon in facing everything in life. Kris Dayanti, or commonly called Mimi KD, also expressed her enthusiasm for studying at UT and motivated everyone to continue learning throughout their lives. When asked about her reasons for studying at UT, the Indonesian Diva said, “The flexible learning at UT allows me to divide my time between studying, working, and carrying out my roles as a wife, mother, and grandmother in the family.”
As a higher education institution, UT not only innovates in learning methods but also opens opportunities for all levels of society to achieve decent, quality, and affordable higher education. UT believes that education is the main key to strengthening the nation’s competitiveness and creating a prosperous society. In this 41st Dies Natalis momentum, UT is also holding the National Scientific Discussion, Sports, and Arts Week (DISPORSENI Nasional UT 2025) as one of the strategic activities to strengthen that role. DISPORSENI is not just a competition event but also a platform for character building, a talent search event, and a space for growth for the young generation, future leaders of the nation towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
Carrying the grand theme “Carving Achievements, Weaving Togetherness Towards Golden Indonesia,” UT is holding 17 branches of competitions and matches in the fields of academics, sports, and arts. This activity is not only participated by UT students from all over the archipelago but also participants from other state and private universities, as well as high school/vocational school/Islamic high school students who are specially invited to experience a healthy and quality competitive atmosphere. The holding of DISPORSENI 2025 is a real form of UT’s contribution to shaping a superior, innovative, globally competitive, and Pancasila-principled generation—in accordance with the grand vision of realizing Golden Indonesia in 2045.
This momentum marks the beginning of the long journey of the National DISPORSENI UT 2025, which will take place from May to September 2025, both online and offline. As part of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, UT hopes that this activity can foster innovative, collaborative, and sportsmanship-upholding character in students.
Through the spirit of the 41st Dies Natalis and National DISPORSENI UT 2025, UT affirms its role as a university open to all that not only encourages achievements in academics, sports, and arts but also shapes the character of a young generation that is sporting, creative, and has integrity. This activity is also a platform to strengthen togetherness among UT students and participants from various universities to high school/vocational school/Islamic high school students throughout Indonesia, while also strengthening UT’s commitment to producing superior human resources towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
