The graduation ceremony at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC), Tangerang Selatan, on Sunday (1 February 2026) marked a proud milestone for thousands of students—among them 22-year-old Munifah, who earned the title of Best Graduate. Her achievement reflected not only academic excellence but also perseverance.
After high school, Munifah took a six-month gap year and attempted several national university admission pathways, including scholarships, which did not materialize. Seeking a flexible and accessible alternative, she chose Universitas Terbuka (UT). Its open and distance learning system allowed her to manage her studies independently while working part-time from home. “Distance learning truly suits me,” she said, emphasizing how UT enabled her to balance education and financial responsibility.
Munifah completed her Information Systems degree in seven semesters with an impressive GPA of 3.93 under the non-SIPAS scheme, relying on discipline and self-management. She believes success in distance learning requires strong independence and maturity. Her ability to manage technology and time reflects competencies aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Looking ahead, Munifah plans to pursue further studies abroad, with Japan as a potential destination to deepen her expertise in Data Science and artificial intelligence. Her journey demonstrates how Universitas Terbuka provides inclusive, high-quality education that empowers students to grow, compete globally, and pursue international aspirations.
