Tanah Bumbu, June 3, 2025 – Access to quality higher education is now closer for the community of Tanah Bumbu and its surrounding areas. Universitas Terbuka (UT) Banjarmasin, together with PT Arutmin Indonesia, inaugurated the Universitas Terbuka Service Center (SALUT) Bina Ilmu Batulicin, located at the Batulicin Community Centre building, in the Arutmin Batulicin mining area, South Kalimantan.
The inauguration of this SALUT is tangible proof of the synergy between the world of education and industry in promoting educational equity in the region. SALUT Bina Ilmu Batulicin is the result of a strategic collaboration between PT Arutmin Indonesia Batulicin Mine and the Batulicin and Kotabaru Seberang Study Groups (Pokjar), as well as UT Banjarmasin. This collaboration not only expands UT’s service reach but also reinforces industrial support for educational advancement in the region.
For information, Universitas Terbuka is a state university with legal entity status that has been providing open and distance higher education (PTTJJ) since 1984. With its flexible system, affordable costs, and national and international recognition, UT has opened access to education for all levels of society—from remote parts of Indonesia to abroad.
Previously, services for UT students in the Tanah Bumbu area were provided through the Pokjar system. However, since the implementation of the latest policy from the UT Rector in 2023, the service system has been shifted to the more professional and standardized SALUT model. Through SALUT, UT students can now comprehensively access various academic administrative needs, from registration, learning, student activities, to examination execution, within one integrated service center.
In his speech, the Director of UT Banjarmasin, Ir. H. M. Priono, M.Si., CPR., CCM., stated that the presence of SALUT Bina Ilmu Batulicin is part of UT’s commitment to providing flexible, affordable, and quality higher education without geographical and social limitations.
“We want to ensure that anyone, anywhere, can still access quality higher education. The inauguration of this SALUT symbolizes a strong synergy between UT, the industry, and the local community in building the future of Indonesian education,” said Priono.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including the Mine Manager of PT Arutmin Indonesia Batulicin Mine, Cipto Prayitno, representatives from the Tanah Bumbu Regency Education Office, the Head of Simpang Empat District, school principals, pesantren leaders, village heads, representatives from Bank BTN, UT Banjarmasin students, and other invited guests.
The presence of SALUT Bina Ilmu Batulicin is expected to be a catalyst for the advancement of higher education in Tanah Bumbu Regency and its surroundings. Furthermore, this synergy model is expected to be replicated in other regions, serving as a concrete example of collaboration between educational institutions, industry, and local communities.
Address of SALUT Bina Ilmu Batulicin: Batulicin Community Centre Building, Jl. Raya Serongga KM 3.5, Gunung Besar Village, Simpang Empat District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan.
