Purbalingga, June 14, 2026 — Sunday mornings are often associated with taking a break from routine. However, on Sunday, June 14, for around 90 students of the Universitas Terbuka (UT) Learning Support Center (SALUT) Perwira Purbalingga became an opportunity to renew their motivation to study, work, persevere, and prepare for the future.
Through its “Public Lecture and Academic Guidance for Final Semester Examination (UAS) Preparation”, Universitas Terbuka (UT) Purwokerto did more than provide technical guidance ahead of the final examinations. The event also served as a reminder that being a UT student is not simply about earning good grades, but about developing resilience, character, and the competencies needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market.
The gap between higher education graduates and industry expectations remains a major challenge, both nationally and globally. Today’s workplace is evolving rapidly. Employers are no longer looking solely for graduates with outstanding academic records, but also for individuals who can adapt, communicate effectively, think critically, collaborate with others, and demonstrate initiative.
This context made the event at SALUT Perwira Purbalingga particularly relevant. Most UT students pursue their education while balancing demanding responsibilities. Many work full-time, support their families, and manage various daily commitments while continuing their higher education.
Teguh, Head of SALUT Perwira Purbalingga, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of UT Purwokerto for attending the event and providing direct support to students. According to him, the university’s presence reassures students that they are not alone in preparing for their final examinations and completing their academic journey.
“UT is a public university and a pioneer of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), offering highly flexible and high-quality learning services, including Face-to-Face Tutorials (TTM), Web Tutorials (TUWEB), and Online Tutorials (Tuton). We encourage students to take full advantage of these updated learning systems to achieve their best possible results in the upcoming final examinations,” said Teguh.
He also encouraged students to maintain a positive mindset. Within an open and distance learning system, self-discipline is essential. Students are expected to manage their study schedules independently, recognize opportunities, and remain consistent despite their busy personal and professional lives.
During the main session, the Director of UT Purwokerto emphasized that students should view higher education as a pathway to expanding their overall capabilities. While the final examinations are important, preparing for the future requires far more than academic success. Students should also be willing to seize opportunities for personal and professional development.
UT Purwokerto encourages students to participate actively in national programs such as the Student Entrepreneurship Program, Research Grant Program, and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative. These programs provide opportunities for students to strengthen their analytical thinking, identify real-world problems, develop practical solutions, and build greater economic independence.
“These programs offer valuable opportunities to strengthen analytical skills. Our learning materials have been carefully designed to develop independent learners. In today’s global environment, students must master two essential foundations: self-management and financial management,” the Director said.
In addition to academic and financial opportunities, the Director highlighted the importance of fundamental skills, which include balancing technical competencies (hard skills) with interpersonal competencies (soft skills). Students should develop not only technical expertise but also integrity, communication skills, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
“Many university graduates remain unemployed because they lack soft skills. Today’s job market places greater value on graduates who demonstrate integrity, initiative, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team,” the Director concluded.
The event also reaffirmed UT Purwokerto’s commitment to promoting quality education and enhancing students’ employability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
From Purbalingga, the message was both practical and inspiring. UT students are not merely preparing for their final semester examinations, but they are preparing for something much greater: a future they are building themselves, one module, one examination, and one courageous step at a time.
