South Tangerang, August 6, 2025 – Universitas Terbuka (UT) once again solidified its commitment to enhancing academic capacity and expanding its intellectual contributions to society by inaugurating 10 new professors. This inauguration is a crucial part of UT’s 41st Dies Natalis celebration, themed “Innovation Without Limits, Realizing Quality Education.” The theme reflects UT’s spirit of continuous innovation in developing an open and distance learning (PTJJ) system that is adaptive, inclusive, and promotes equitable access to education throughout the nation and beyond.
The inauguration was held in two sessions: five professors on August 5, 2025, and the other five on August 6, 2025, at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC). It was also broadcast online via UT TV Streaming on YouTube and Zoom Meeting. This inauguration is more than just an academic ceremony; it is a manifestation of UT’s effort to strengthen an inclusive, high-quality, and relevant higher education ecosystem.
During the August 6, 2025, inauguration session, a passionate atmosphere radiated from the entire UT academic community. In front of UT leaders, Academic Senate members, partners, students, and the extended UT family, the five new professors from various fields delivered scientific orations that mapped the development of their respective theories and methodologies based on empirical research, with the hope of making an impact on development. They offered a number of innovative and comprehensive solutions to address various challenges through the application of different approaches in pure sciences, particularly statistics and mathematics, ecosystem-based sustainable fisheries management, digital technology in quality foreign language teaching through an open and distance education approach, and digital governance based on governance networks.
Leadership Perspectives on Academic Excellence
UT Rector, Dr. Mohamad Yunus, S.S., M.A., expressed his hope that “the energy of the professors currently at UT will inspire the entire academic community and thereby enhance UT’s honor and academic credibility.”
Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Finance, Resources, and General Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si., added that UT is committed to improving the quality of Indonesian education human resources, including through the acceleration of professors at UT. “We will ask the professors to lead the development and dissemination of knowledge, as well as lead community service based on their fields of expertise,” said Prof. Ali. He explained that as part of the acceleration strategy to achieve the target of 10 new professors per year, current professors will be asked to mentor 30 other lecturers to produce 15 articles for reputable publications and 5 articles that can be commercialized.
On the same occasion, UT also launched the book “The Positive Impact of Pure Science Theories and Models on SDG Achievement,” which summarizes the scientific orations of the five professors inaugurated today. Through this book, the five new professors not only present various forms of innovation but also anticipate future developments in a multidisciplinary, integrated, and holistic manner. The book was compiled under the responsibility of the Chairman of UT’s 41st Dies Natalis and concurrently Chairman of the UT Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), Prof. Dewi Artati Padmo Putri, M.A., Ph.D., with Prof. Dr. Karnedi, M.A. as editor. This book is a form of UT’s intellectual contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Scientific Orations and Their Impact
The five professors inaugurated on August 6, 2025, are as follows:
- Prof. Dr. Dewi Juliah Ratnaningsih, S.Si., M.Si. (Faculty of Science and Technology/FST, Specialization: Data Modeling) presented an oration titled “Survival Analysis: An Impactful Statistical Modeling Tool in Various Fields.” She explained how survival analysis can be used for accurate and efficient data-driven decision-making, particularly in analyzing time-to-event data to estimate longevity, risk, and probability across various sectors.
- Prof. Dr. Ernik Yuliana, S.Pi., M.T. (Postgraduate School (SPs) & FST, Specialization: Coastal and Marine Resource Management) presented an oration titled “Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Towards Sustainable Fisheries.” She highlighted the need for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) to prevent the degradation of fish resources and their habitats while increasing fishermen’s income and welfare.
- Prof. Dr. Fatia Fatimah, S.Si. M.Pd. (FST at UT Padang, Specialization: Mathematics (N-Soft Sets)) presented an oration titled “N-Soft Sets: Theory, Implementation, and Inspiration from Local to Global.” She explained the potential of N-soft set theory in handling data uncertainty and developing applications to accurately map student interests, talents, and intelligence.
- Prof. Dr. Lidwina Sri Ardiasih, S.Pd., M.Ed. (SPs & FKIP, Specialization: Teaching English to Distance Learners) presented an oration titled “Harnessing Digital Technology for English Teaching in Higher Education: An Open and Distance Learning Context.” She proposed a model for strengthening the English language teaching system based on ODL through strategic collaboration and the use of digital technology to enhance the quality and competitiveness of English education in Indonesia.
- Prof. Dr. Susanti, M.Si. (SPs & Faculty of Law, Social, and Political Sciences (FHISIP), Specialization: Governance and Public Sector Management) presented an oration titled “Building Adaptive Governance Networks: Multi-Actor Synergy in Digital Governance.” She called on all levels of society to build adaptive, inclusive, and trust-based collaborative networks to create meaningful digital public governance.
The strategic ideas of these new UT professors reflect a strong and responsive scientific approach to the dynamics of social and digital transformation. Their contributions not only enrich the body of knowledge but also serve as an inspiration for academics, policymakers, and the wider community to realize innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The launch of the book and the scientific orations from the new professors demonstrate UT’s consistency in integrating academic contributions with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The topics they raised are directly related to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Sustainable Life Below Water). UT sees the importance of the role of pure science, digital technology, public governance, and a multidisciplinary approach in addressing global challenges. This aligns with UT’s vision as an open digital campus that supports sustainable human development through relevant, inclusive, and impactful higher education.
This inauguration solidifies UT’s determination to continue being an “Open, Digital, and Impactful Campus.” The distance education UT provides is not just about giving access, but also ensuring quality and meaning. The professor inauguration ceremony concluded with a prayer, a song of gratitude, and a group photo session, symbolizing the collective commitment of the entire UT family to continue innovating, sharing knowledge, and providing high-quality and impactful higher education for the progress of the nation.
