Universitas Terbuka (UT) has once again affirmed its commitment as a leading university in providing open and equal access to higher education for all. This commitment was evident in the holding of the New Student Orientation (OSMB) and Distance Learning Skills Training (PKBJJ) for the Odd Semester 2025/2026, which was attended by 2,974 new students on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
The event took place at the UT Makassar Office Hall, Simpang Lima Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, and was simultaneously held at 14 different locations. For the city of Makassar, a total of 643 students from four faculties participated: the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Law, Social, and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, and the Faculty of Science and Technology.
The Head of the Junior High School Division of the Makassar City Education Office, Dr. Syarifuddin, who attended on behalf of the Mayor, expressed his appreciation. He said that the presence of thousands of UT students, the majority of whom are from the younger generation, brings new energy to the world of education in Makassar. “You have chosen the right state university. UT’s advantage is an education system that knows no limits of space and time,” he said.
According to him, UT’s distance learning system is highly relevant to the needs of modern society, especially those who work as civil servants or professionals in other fields. With the flexibility offered, students can still pursue their education without having to leave their main responsibilities. He also highlighted the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, which makes it easy for teachers and civil servants to align their work experience with the academic curriculum.
Meanwhile, the Rector of UT, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, SE., MSi., who attended online, affirmed that studying at UT is the right first step in building a future. “Enrolling in UT is the right choice. You should be proud to be a part of the big UT family. Be an active learner and a future leader,” he said.
The Director of UT Makassar, Prof. Abdul Rahman Rahim, also gave a warm welcome. He mentioned that more than 11,500 active students are now enrolled at UT Makassar, part of the approximately 760,000 UT students throughout Indonesia and abroad. According to him, studying at UT is a long-term investment that requires independence and time discipline, but students never walk alone. “UT always provides support through academic services, including the Sentra Layanan Universitas Terbuka (SALUT), which is ready to assist at any time,” he explained.
The OSMB itself is designed to provide knowledge about the distance learning system, academic services, and motivation so that students can adapt. After the opening, participants received materials from several UT lecturers, ranging from National Defense, the Higher Education Law, to a technical understanding of the digital learning system.
This step by UT Makassar not only addresses local educational needs but also aligns with the global agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing open and flexible access to education, UT contributes to the achievement of SDG 4 on quality, inclusive education and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities by providing broader learning opportunities for various groups in society.
With the continuously increasing number of new students, Universitas Terbuka once again affirms its position as the university of the future: modern, adaptive, and always at the forefront of opening up paths to education without limits of space and time.
