Managing assets is not merely about maintaining the value of property, but also ensuring that every asset is used properly and provides benefits to the community. Universitas Terbuka (UT) Denpasar demonstrated this principle by returning land belonging to the Bali Provincial Government while also donating assets with a total value of IDR 4.89 billion on Thursday (17/9/2026).

UT Denpasar returned 1,975 square meters of land on Jalan Gurita, Desa Sesetan, Denpasar Selatan, which had previously been used as the Secretariat of the Distance Learning Services Unit of UT Denpasar since 2007. Other than returning the land rights, UT also handed over the building, along with the equipment and machinery located on the property, through a donation mechanism to the Bali Provincial Government.

The move was part of the orderly and transparent management of UT’s national-owned assets. The return and donation of the assets were marked by the signing of an official handover document by UT Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto and Bali Governor Wayan Koster at the New UT Denpasar Building on Jalan Raya Sesetan.

“This is where UT’s distance education services grew together with the people of Bali. As the use of the land has come to an end, UT is returning the land rights and handing over the building and equipment inside it through a donation mechanism,” Prof. Ali Muktiyanto said.

UT Denpasar has occupied its new building since 2024. The change in service location became an opportunity for UT to ensure that assets previously used to support educational operations continued to be managed through clear mechanisms once their period of use came to an end.

In detail, the donated assets consist of a building covering 1,106 square meters, valued at IDR 4.14 billion. In addition, there are 169 pieces of equipment, including air conditioners, projectors, workstations, tables, cabinets, and other equipment, with a total value of IDR 746.15 million.

For UT, the asset arrangement is not merely an administrative matter. Returning the land to its owner and transferring the assets through a donation mechanism demonstrate the importance of certainty in asset management, as well as transparency regarding their status and utilization.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster appreciated the move by UT Denpasar. After directly inspecting the location on Jalan Gurita, Koster said the building was still in very good condition and ready to be reused after some arrangements were made.

“I have seen the building, and it is still very worth operating. It only needs a little tidying up and it can be used. Thank you to the Rector for the donation; this will be very beneficial for public services and government duties,” Koster said.

Koster also shared his emotional connection with UT, dating back to when he began his career at the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia in 1988 and later served on Komisi X DPR RI. Seeing UT’s development today, he encouraged UT to contribute to the success of the One Family One Graduate (1 Keluarga 1 Sarjana – 1K1S) program to increase the Gross Enrollment Rate (APK) of higher education in Bali, which currently remains below 40 percent.

The encouragement also shows that higher education governance and asset utilization are ultimately connected to a broader goal: delivering tangible benefits to the community. The spirit of expanding access to higher education is also in line with SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education.

Meanwhile, Head of the Bali Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (Badan Pengelolaan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah – BPKAD) I Ketut Maduyasa said the Bali Provincial Government would immediately arrange and carry out physical improvements to the building before it is put into use. Its subsequent utilization will be discussed, including the possibility of accommodating regional government agencies or entities owned by the Bali Provincial Government to support government duties.

“We will discuss it further later, including whether a regional government agency or an entity owned by the Bali Provincial Government will be placed there to support government duties,” I Ketut Maduyasa said.

For UT Denpasar, the return of the land and donation of the assets mark the end of a phase of service that has continued since 2007. For the Bali Provincial Government, however, the move opens up new possibilities for reusing the land, building, and equipment to meet government and public service needs.

This is where transparent and accountable governance finds its meaning, not merely in administration, but in ensuring that every public asset has a clear management record and provides tangible benefits.