Tangerang Selatan, June 20, 2025 – As a pioneer in Open and Distance Higher Education (PTTJJ) in Indonesia, Universitas Terbuka (UT) continues to be a highlight in the academic world, both domestically and internationally. Due to its global influence, UT received an official visit from Qinghai Open University (QHOU), China, on Tuesday, June 20, 2025. The meeting, held in the Rasamala Room, Wisma 2, UT Central, Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, strengthened UT’s position as a strategic partner in the transformation of higher education in the Asian region.
This visit served as a strategic moment to strengthen global education diplomacy and the exchange of best practices between open education institutions, while also paving the way for a more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable education transformation. UT’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Rahmat Budiman, M.Hum., Ph.D., opened the event with a warm welcome and expressed hope that this cooperation would result in meaningful initiatives that could provide broad benefits for both countries.
The QHOU delegation, led by Hanbin, also expressed admiration for UT’s learning system and stated their readiness to collaborate concretely. He acknowledged UT’s experience and success in organizing the PTTJJ system and appreciated the warm welcome from UT. QHOU believes this visit will provide valuable lessons and new perspectives for the advancement of both institutions.
Best Practices Shared and MoU Signed
Several strategic units of UT also presented UT’s best practices. The Human Resources Center (PSDM) showcased the concept of teaching staff development; the Office of the Vice Rector for Information Systems and Student Affairs presented the support of Regional UTs in reaching remote areas of the country; and the Quality Assurance Office (KPM) emphasized how educational quality standards are maintained systematically and sustainably.
The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UT and QHOU as a basis for further cooperation in various fields, including faculty and student exchange, joint research, digital learning material development, and strengthening technology-based learning systems. This session concluded with the exchange of souvenirs and a group photo as a symbol of cross-country partnership.
Insights into Learning Material Production and Future Collaboration
The visit then continued to the Center for Learning Material and Multimedia Production (P2BAM). There, the QHOU delegation directly witnessed the development process of UT’s learning materials, from module writing to multimedia content production. Prof. Lidwina Sri Ardiasih, S.Pd., M.Ed., guided the explanation of how UT ensures the quality of learning materials adheres to established instructional standards. The delegation also visited the Learning Material Service Center (PUSLABA), where Saksomo Adi, S.H., explained the distribution flow of printed and digital learning materials to millions of UT students both domestically and abroad.
This visit by QHOU to UT reaffirmed UT’s position as a key player in open higher education, not only in Indonesia but also in the Asian region. In the spirit of global cooperation and continuous innovation, both institutions agreed to establish closer collaboration to strengthen the existence of quality, sustainable distance education that is adaptive to the challenges of the times. UT and QHOU believe that this partnership will make a tangible contribution to realizing a more just and equitable future for education, not only for Indonesia and China but also for the global community more broadly.
