Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si.
Effort and prayer—perhaps those two words are suitable to describe the struggle of Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Terbuka for the 2025-2030 period. The man, who is familiarly called Pak Ali, comes from a family rich in strong religious education. It is this type of education that makes him always accompany his efforts with prayer. “With difficulty there is ease. Maximize your effort. Pray before, during, and after the effort,” he answered when asked about his life motto. He has gone through many twists and turns in life before occupying his current position.
Pak Ali, or Gus Ali as he is called by his close friends, started his career at UT in 2000 as a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics (FE). In the years that followed, his career at UT began to climb. In 2007, he was chosen to be the Head of the Accounting Study Program in the FE-UT Accounting Department. After 3 years in that position, he was assigned to continue his education for a doctoral degree at the University of Indonesia. He then continued his career as Vice Rector for Finance, Resources, and General Affairs until 2025.
Since childhood, the youngest of 11 siblings was always disciplined in a strong religious tradition. This type of education made him always maximize his efforts, so he always achieved from a young age. At UT itself, his track record is also brilliant. In addition to often being involved in various UT development teams, he has received awards as an outstanding lecturer and an outstanding Head of a Study Program. He also frequently participated in various self-competence enhancement training sessions while serving at UT. His organizational experience outside of UT is also no less impressive; to this day, he often holds positions as chairman in various organizations, especially those related to social and religious fields.
His background and various achievements have made Pak Ali a trustworthy figure to occupy strategic positions. A year after completing his doctoral degree, he was chosen to be the Assistant Director for Student Affairs at UT’s Graduate School Program. After only 1 year in that position, he was then given the mandate to lead the UT Faculty of Economics until 2021, and then the Vice Rector for Finance (WR II).
In his daily life, in addition to playing an important role at UT, this man—born in Demak, who completed middle and high school in Kudus, and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Bandung—almost never refuses when asked to give a sermon at religious gatherings. “Life is actually just carrying out the command of service; what Allah wills is what we follow,” he said when talking about his view on life.
When asked about his hopes for UT, he sees that UT, with its Open and Distance Learning (PTJJ) system, is currently receiving public attention. According to him, the mandate to become a Cyber University is not a light matter. It is both an opportunity and a challenge that must be conquered. Therefore, the competence and quality of UT as a Cyber University must continue to be improved. “We all must think outside the box if we want to survive, and be one step ahead, we must go further,” he said. He added, “The best person is the one who is the most useful to others.”
Prof. Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M. Hum., Ph.D.
“The blessings God grants us would suit the properness to His slaves. Then, make ourselves appropriate to receive His best gifts!”
Rahmat Budiman is currently serving as the Acting Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs. He began his term as the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs based on the Rector of Universitas Terbuka’s Decree Numbers 553 to 557, 559, and 565 to 567 of 2025, dated February 5, 2025.
Previously, he was the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Partnership, and Business of Universitas Terbuka since 2 February 2021. In addition to serving as the UT’s Vice Rector, he is also concurrently serving as the Secretary General of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) for the period of 2020-2022 who is tasked in the secretariat of AAOU.
Usually referred to by his nickname “Rahmat”, he finished his bachelor’s degree education in University of Pakuan in the department of English Literature, continued with a master program at the University of Indonesia specializing in linguistics, and he graduated with Cum Laude. Furthermore, he earned his Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) from the University of Dundee, the United Kingdom, where he was awarded the scholarship from the World Bank. Born in Bogor on the 16th day of January in 1971 the formidable lover of bitter tea and coffee has worked his way up in Universitas Terbuka since 1999 starting as the Secretary of the Department of Linguistics and Literature, which was then followed by other positions, such as the Head of the Department of Linguistics and Literature at the Faculty of Law, Social Science and Political Science or FHISIP UT, the Official in Charge of Protocols and International Relations at the Center for the Development of International Relations and Partnership (PPHIK), and further, he served as the Deputy Dean of Faculty of Law, Social Science and Political Science (FHISIP) and currently, as the Acting Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Partnership, and Business.”
According to him, his work experience in UT has made him a highly professional person with a tremendous amount of empathy. “In addition to living overseas, I from time to time went to visit various other places, from Sabang to Sorong, and even to one of the outermost islands, Tahuna. I strongly believe that education is one way to improve the people’s standard of living.”
The father of two daughters always meticulously keeps the neatness and fitness of his appearance. He added that he has a personal fashion stylist, who is his wife.
Adrian Sutawijaya, S.E., M.Si.
“Giving ease to others eases our own ways”
Adrian Sutawijaya, S.E., M.Si., is Universitas Terbuka’s current Vice Rector of Finance, Resource, and General Affairs based Rector’s Decree No. 2719 of 2025 on 14 October 2025. Before serving in that position, he was assigned as the Director of Management in Assts, Generals, and Procurement of Goods and Services since May 2023. His track record in leadership is deemed consistent, with other strategic positions being the Secretary of Economy and Development Studies of UT’s Faculty of Economics (FE), Vice Dean I of FE, Head of UPBJJ Pangkalpinang, Head of Procurement Unit, and Head of Procurement of Goods and Services.
Born in Jentian, 3 May 1977, Adrian Sutawijaya studied in the Faculty of Economics at Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang and achieved his bachelor’s degree (S.E.) in 2000. Two years later, he achieved his Master of Science (M.Si.) degree in Development Economics at the same university.
Since joining UT as a lecturer in 2002, Adrian Sutawijaya showed real dedication towards the development of academic products and operational activities within UT. Long journeys in strategic positions made Adrian an important figure in the transformation of UT’s management and procurement of goods and services. One of the most important innovations include PROMISE (Procurement Management Information System), an application of procurement designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness of procurement and as a method of governance in every step of procurement within UT. This Application has received multiple international awards, multiple HAKI (Intellectual Rights), and multiple adaptations across other institutions in Indonesia.
Adrian’s work experience at UT is a journey rich in value and learning. UT provides him the opportunity to grow, innovate, and contribute to the world of open and distance higher education. Through professional, disciplined, and familial values, Adrian’s journey shows that success doesn’t only come from personal efforts, but also collaborations and spirit of service. Being part of UT comes with honor and pride. On duty, he has always been a strict figure consistent with his values, but behind that, lives a humorous, humble, and helpful person.
Prof. Paken Pandiangan, S.Si., M.Si.
“Nothing is difficult as long as you want to try and work hard.”
Prof. Paken Pandiangan, S.Si., M.Si. hails from North Tapanuli and has a penchant for delving into Discovery Books about the intricate workings of the universe’s formation.
Prof. Paken Pandiangan, S.Si., M.Si., on July 31, 2023, was appointed as Vice Rector for Information Systems and Student Affairs, where previously he served as Director of the Postgraduate School for the 2023-2028 term on May 8, 2023, Chair of the LPPMP-UT for the 2021-2025 term on March 24, 2021. Previously he served as Head of the Center for Teaching Materials Management (Puslaba-UT) from 2009 to 2021.
He embarked on his journey at UT by joining as a faculty member in the Physics Education Study Program within FKIP-UT, a role he has held since 1997 up to the present time. In addition to his primary teaching responsibilities, he has taken on supplementary roles, including his tenure as the Head of the Physics Education Study Program at FKIP-UT from 2003 to 2007. This was followed by his service as the Director of UT Batam for two distinct terms, spanning 2008 to 2012 and 2021 to 2016. Furthermore, he assumed the position of Director at UT Ambon from 2018 to 2022.
Embracing the life philosophy, “Challenges are surmountable through determined effort and diligent work,” this individual, affectionately known as “Pak Paken,” has consistently achieved recognition as the most accomplished and swiftest achiever throughout his educational journey. He completed his high school education at SMA Negeri 1 Muara Bungo Jambi (1987-1990) and secured admission into the Undergraduate Program in Pure Physics at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) without undergoing the Regional Superior Seeds Achievement Selection (PBUD) exam. Notably, he graduated at the top of his class and in record time (1990 – 1995). Moreover, he was granted a government scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree (S2) in Theoretical Physics and Computing at ITB Postgraduate from 2001 to 2003. He excelled as the highest-achieving graduate, completing the program in just 1.5 years. But the journey didn’t end there. In 2014, Pak Paken was awarded a scholarship for his Doctoral studies in Science Education at the State University of Surabaya. Within a remarkable span of 3 years, he completed his doctorate with honors, earning the prestigious Cum Laude distinction in 2017.
In terms of his personal life, Dr. Paken Pandiangan, S.Si., M.Si. is married to Dumaria Simanullang, S.Kep., who comes from the healthcare field. From this marriage, Mr. Paken has been blessed with two children. The first child, Adriel Omarpadu, aged 21, is currently in the final semester of Officer School Education at the Faculty of Defense Science and Technology, University of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia. He is pursuing a degree in Military Informatics Engineering. The second child, Jeremiah Upgal, is ten years old and is about to enter the fifth grade in elementary school.
With the position he is currently entrusted with, Pak Paken hopes that UT will become a world-class university that can provide access to quality distance higher education for all Indonesian citizens, both those who live in all corners of the country and remote islands, urban areas, as well as Indonesian citizens who domiciled in various countries abroad.
Dr. Hendrian, S.E., M.Si.
Known as a visionary individual with integrity and high commitment for the development of open higher education, Dr. Hendrian, S.E., now serves as the Vice Rector for Research, Partnership, and Business of Universitas Terbuka (UT). He was inaugurated through Rector’s Decree No. 2720 of 2025 on 14 October 2025. With an enormous amount of experience in academics and managerial positions, he’s trusted to strengthen UT’s strategic direction in building research and innovation capable of global competition, while expanding UT’s multi-sector collaboration to support business and reputation.
Born in Bukittinggi, 29 January 1969, Dr. Hendrian studied in Universitas Pasundan Bandung, achieving his Bachelor of Economics degree (S.E.) in 1993, concentrated in accounting. He continued his studies by obtaining a Master of Sciences degree (M.Si.) in 2007 in Universitas Gadjah Mada and Doctoral degree in 2020 in the same university under the guidance of Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng, D.Eng., the Rector of UGM at the time. His strong foundation in accounting and research makes him the perfect candidate to develop a management system with transparency, accountability, and adaptability.
Dr. Hendrian joined UT in the year 2000 as a lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). With his services and accomplishments, he was trusted to serve in a handful of strategic positions, namely as the Head of Accounting Study Program (2010–2020), Head of Internal Supervision Unit (2022-2023), and Head of Internal Supervision Office (2023-2025), and his current position as Vice Rector IV.
In his leadership, Dr. Hendrian emphasized the importance of productive research, relevant innovation, and strengthening partnerships both nationally and internationally. He also pushes digital transformation in the management system to improve efficiency and increase impact.
For his dedication, Dr. Hendrian received some prestigious awards, namely Satyalancana Karya Satya 10 Tahun (2013), Satyalancana Karya Satya 20 Tahun (2022) from the President of Indonesia, as well as Outstanding Lecturer of Universitas Terbuka in 2009.
Outside of academic and leadership activities, Dr. Hendrian is known as an individual with discipline, humility, and focus on self-improvement. With his beloved wife, Nining Setiahningsih, he builds a harmonic family as well as being a role model in promoting values of integrity and lifelong learning.
With over two decades of experience at Universitas Terbuka, Dr. Hendrian commits to making UT the centre of research and innovation of open education with concrete contributions to the advancement of science, technology, and national development.
Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana, S.E., M.Com.
Behind every institutional policy and leadership decision, lies strong coordination and maintainedinstitutional governance. This responsibility is entrusted to Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana, S.E., M.Com., who serves as the University Secretary of Universitas Terbuka for the 2026–2031 term (30 January 2026–30 January 2031).
As the University’s central coordination hub, the University Secretary oversees the integration of strategic planning, legal affairs and advocacy, governance and protocol, international affairs, and the communication of leaderships’ official statements. Through this role, the implementation of the Rector’s policies, coordination among the University’s governing bodies, and institutional reporting and evaluation are carried out in an orderly and well-aligned manner, ensuring that Universitas Terbuka continues to advance in accordance with its strategic direction.
Born in Semarang on 6 May 1973, Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana earned her Bachelor’s degree in Management from Universitas Sebelas Maret in 1997. She then pursued a Master of Commerce (Marketing) at Curtin University of Technology, Australia, graduating in 2006, and completed her Doctorate in Management Science at Universitas Indonesia in 2022. Her academic background has provided a strong foundation in organizational dynamics, strategic planning, and decision-making within higher education institutions.
Since joining Universitas Terbuka as a lecturer in 1999, Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana has held a number of strategic leadership positions, including Assistant to the Vice Rector II, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Economics, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Economics and Business, and Head of the Office of Strategic Policy. These leadership experiences have developed her holistic perspective and understanding in regards to academic processes and institutional governance, from policy formulation to implementation across the University.
As University Secretary, Dr. Kurnia Endah Riana is committed to strengthening institutional coordination, ensuring legal certainty, and delivering accurate and effective official communication to stakeholders. Through a systematic and service-oriented approach, she oversees the formulation and implementation of strategic policies, promotes effective collaboration among the University’s governing bodies, and safeguards legal compliance, ensuring that leadership decisions are implemented consistently while supporting continuous service improvement and strengthening the trust of the University’s academic community and partners.