DENPASAR – The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Terbuka (UT) has once again demonstrated its commitment to improving the quality and competitiveness of its graduates on the global stage. On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, FEB UT held a historic Cooperation Agreement (PKS) signing with PT. Aku Sukma Jaya Lembaga Kursus Go Gakko Mandiri at the UT Denpasar Office. This strategic collaboration opens exclusive one-year international internship opportunities in Japan for students of the S1 Tourism Study Program, FEB UT.

This MoA signing marks a significant milestone, pioneering the first international internship collaboration at Universitas Terbuka. This initiative aligns with FEB UT’s vision to become a faculty that provides world-class open and distance education, capable of producing competent and globally competitive graduates.

The Dean of FEB UT, Dr. Meirani Harsasi, expressed her enthusiasm for this collaboration. “We are very proud to be able to present this valuable opportunity to our students. The internship experience in Japan, especially in the Okinawan hospitality sector which has high service standards, will provide significant added value to the competence and work readiness of UT Tourism students,” she said.

The President Director of PT. Aku Sukma Jaya, Mrs. Maki Tanaka, warmly welcomed this collaboration. “We see great potential in Indonesian students, including those from Universitas Terbuka. Through our cooperation network with various leading hospitality businesses in Okinawa, we are ready to provide comprehensive and internationally standardized work training,” she stated.

The Director of UT Denpasar, Drs. Agus Tatang Sopandi, also expressed his appreciation for the FEB UT initiative. “This collaboration is a tangible manifestation of UT’s commitment to continuously improve the quality of learning and provide learning experiences that are relevant to the needs of the global industry. We hope that this step will pave the way for other international collaborations that benefit UT students,” he said.

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FEB UT, Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana, the Head of the Tourism Study Program, Andy Mulyana, S.E., M.Si., as well as lecturers within UT Denpasar.

Through this international internship program, FEB UT’s S1 Tourism students will have a golden opportunity to:

• Develop practical skills in an international-standard professional work environment.
• Gain in-depth understanding of the tourism and hospitality industry in Japan.
• Improve language skills and adapt to a multicultural environment.
• Build a professional network with industry players in Japan.
• Increase competitiveness in the global job market.

This FEB UT initiative not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also strengthens UT’s image as an adaptive and responsive university to global developments. By providing international internship opportunities, FEB UT equips its students with the competitive edge that is highly needed in this era of globalization.