South Tangerang, May 2, 2025 – Universitas Terbuka (UT) Central Campus held a flag ceremony to commemorate National Education Day (Hardiknas) 2025 at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) Field, Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, Friday (May 2, 2025). The solemn ceremony was directly attended by the Rector of UT, the Vice-Rectors, the Deans, as well as the leadership and all employees within UT Central.
Acting as the ceremony supervisor, the Rector of UT, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, S.S., M.A., delivered the mandate of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. In his mandate, he emphasized that National Education Day is not just a ceremony but serves as a reminder for all to reflect on the direction of steps and goals. Mohamad Yunus also reminded through his mandate that the world is facing extraordinary challenges. These challenges are known as wicked problems — complex, interconnected global issues that cannot be solved in ordinary ways. These range from the climate crisis, economic inequality, the digital revolution, a crisis of social trust, to the disruption of values and jobs due to artificial intelligence. “All of this demands that we rethink and act together,” said Mohamad Yunus through his mandate.
Mohamad Yunus also emphasized that education is the heart of civilization and a strategic solution to global challenges such as the climate crisis, social inequality, and digital disruption. Carrying the theme “Universal Participation Realizes Quality Education for All,” he called for the importance of cross-sector collaboration to create education that is equitable, impactful, and in favor of the future. Education, he said, is not just a place to learn but a space for the birth of awareness and innovation to answer the real problems of society.
This grand idea is in line with UT’s track record, which for four decades has consistently opened access to higher education for all levels of Indonesian society, including those in disadvantaged, remote, and border areas. As a pioneer of distance learning, UT has presented a flexible, technology-based education model that is inclusive and relevant to the needs of the times. UT’s contribution to expanding access, improving human resource quality, and driving digital transformation in the education sector makes it a real example of the vision of quality education for all, as emphasized by the government through the mandate of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
UT certainly continues to strive to improve the quality of education services through innovations in various lines. This starts from the implementation of a new curriculum that will soon be launched for Diploma and Bachelor programs, increasing ICT capacity, and improving the quality of Human Resources (HR) for both lecturers and administrative staff. “All of this must synergize and collaborate together. Nothing is more important, everything is important. We must focus so that UT can have a greater impact and reach a wider community,” added Mohamad Yunus.
The momentum of Hardiknas 2025 is also expected to be a starting point for strengthening UT’s role in building a more resilient, adaptive, and nation-progress-oriented higher education ecosystem. In accordance with the national theme carried by Kemdiktisaintek this year, the Hardiknas momentum remains a means of reflection as well as appreciation for all education stakeholders in Indonesia. With the spirit of Hardiknas, UT reaffirms its commitment to continue being a strategic partner of the government in providing wider and more equitable access to higher education for all Indonesian people.
