Nabire, September 18, 2025 – Access to higher education is now more open for the people of Central Papua. The Central Papua Provincial Government, along with Universitas Terbuka (UT), officially opened the Universitas Terbuka Service Center (SALUT) in Nabire on Thursday (9/18/2025). The presence of this facility is a tangible step towards expanding learning opportunities without the constraints of space and time, in line with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that promote quality and inclusive education for all.
The inauguration of SALUT Nabire, held at the UT Pokjar (Study Group) Nabire Secretariat Building in Karang Tumaritis Village, was a solemn event. Those in attendance included the Expert Staff for Government, Law, and Politics of Central Papua Province, Marthen Ukago, M.Si., representing Governor Meki Nawipa, S.H., along with the Head of SALUT Nabire Ishak Dharmawan, Director of UT Jayapura Fajar Rahmadhani, M.M., and representatives from the Nabire Regency Government.
In his speech, Marthen Ukago affirmed that education is the main key to improving the quality of human resources in Central Papua. He believes that the presence of UT with its distance learning model will be an answer for many people who want to continue their studies but are hindered by circumstances.
“With this open learning system, people who work, stay-at-home mothers, and those who live far from the city center will still have the opportunity to pursue higher education without having to leave their daily activities,” he said. This statement is in line with the mission of SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasizes the importance of equal access to higher education.
Universitas Terbuka has consistently been a pioneer of distance education in Indonesia since its establishment. With its principles of flexibility, affordability, and inclusivity, UT provides a space for anyone to receive an education, regardless of age, occupation, or social background. The presence of SALUT Nabire reinforces UT’s commitment to bridging the education gap, especially in 3T regions (tertinggal, terdepan, and terluar – underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost), while also supporting the agenda of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
The Director of UT Jayapura, Fajar Rahmadhani, mentioned that SALUT is not just a place for registration and administrative services but also a hub for academic and non-academic activities. The community can access information, participate in tutoring sessions, and utilize digital facilities to support the learning process. “We want to ensure that students in Central Papua can experience the same quality of education as UT students in other regions,” he said.
The Central Papua Provincial Government welcomed this initiative positively and hopes that the existence of SALUT Nabire can be a strategic partner in producing educated workers and improving the capacity of regional officials. With a qualified workforce, Central Papua is believed to be more prepared to face various future development challenges. This collaboration shows how the synergy between the government and higher education institutions is in line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
For the community, especially the younger generation, the presence of UT in Nabire opens up a new path to achieving their dreams. College is no longer synonymous with leaving one’s hometown or bearing high costs. Through a technology-supported distance learning system, a degree can be pursued while continuing to work or create within their respective communities.
The presence of SALUT Nabire is also expected to become a center for community empowerment. Not only focusing on academic activities, UT encourages the development of local potential through training, applied research, and innovative collaborations that are directly beneficial to the people of Central Papua.
This collaborative step between the Central Papua Provincial Government and Universitas Terbuka also affirms that education is a right for everyone. By breaking through the barriers of space and time, the presence of SALUT Nabire not only answers the educational needs of Central Papua but also contributes to Indonesia’s tangible efforts in achieving sustainable development targets in education, equality, and global partnerships.
