Palembang, January 21, 2026 — Universitas Terbuka (UT) Palembang reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Palembang City Government through a proposed undergraduate (S1) scholarship program for civil servants (ASN), aimed at strengthening public service quality by enhancing human resource capacity. The initiative aligns with the vision of Mayor Ratu Dewa and Deputy Mayor Prima Salam to realize Palembang Cerdas (Smart Palembang), positioning education as the foundation of a professional and adaptive bureaucracy. 

The plan was discussed during an audience meeting between UT Palembang representatives and Palembang City Secretary Aprizal Hasyim at the City Secretariat. The meeting marked an initial step toward a strategic partnership focused on improving ASN competencies and expanding access to affordable, flexible higher education. Aprizal emphasized that the cooperation is still under review, particularly regarding regulatory and budgetary feasibility for the 2026 fiscal year, but affirmed a shared commitment to improving both the quality and quantity of Palembang’s civil servants. 

UT Palembang’s open and distance learning system was highlighted as a key advantage, allowing ASNs to pursue higher education without disrupting their official duties. Beyond institutional collaboration, the proposed program supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth. Through this initiative, the Palembang City Government hopes to cultivate competent, professional, and service-oriented civil servants, reinforcing the role of education as a long-term investment in building a smarter and more human-centered public administration.