Amid growing expectations for universities to deliver real-world impact, Universitas Terbuka (UT) reaffirmed its commitment to research and community engagement by allocating IDR 67 billion in internal funding for the 2026 fiscal year—an amount set to increase gradually toward IDR 100 billion.
The commitment was highlighted during the 2026 Research and Community Service (PkM) Contract Signing, Innovation Catalog Launch, and Innovation Awards ceremony at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC), Tangerang Selatan, on February 13, 2026. Organized by UT’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), the annual event marked the official start of the university’s research, downstream innovation, and community engagement programs for the year.
UT Rector Prof. Ali Muktiyanto emphasized that research strengthening is a strategic step toward becoming a World Class University. All 42 UT professors will be directly involved as research leaders, with dedicated recognition and support.
LPPM Chair Prof. Dewi Artati Padmo explained that the funding covers competitive and assigned research, national and international collaborations, MOOCs and microcredentials, innovation downstreaming, student research, and various community service schemes—including disaster response and entrepreneurship programs. All activities are managed digitally through UT’s Simpenmas system and supported by both internal and external funding.
The event also showcased 45 selected innovation works from 2025, spanning scientific research, community service products, and applied innovations. Two teams received the Catha Sancaya UT Innovation Award: one for developing a web-based research tracking system, and another for an environmentally friendly biological process to treat industrial wastewater.
Aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as well as environmental and disaster resilience goals, UT’s strengthened research ecosystem underscores its commitment to transforming academic knowledge into practical solutions that benefit society.
