Brief History

Universitas Terbuka (UT) is established with Presidential Decree Number 41 of 1984 on 4 September 1984 as the 45th state university. UT is entirely using distance education mode of learning. UT has been designed to be a flexible and inexpensive university focusing on serving people who lack the opportunity to attend face-to-face mode of higher education system due to various constraints, including lack of funding, living in isolated and rural areas, and work as well as other commitments. The UT system has continued to evolve and improve in terms of its teaching and learning systems, management, and support services for students. Accordingly, UT’s current position reflects not only its past development and achievements, but also the future direction in the context of learners’ needs within Indonesian society.

As an institution, UT has gone through various periods of change and growth, due to internal as well as external factors. Internally in terms of education, UT continuously undergoes change, innovation, and improvement. UT has also adapted itself in response to external pressures for change and to the challenges of changing demands by clients and stakeholders. Continuous improvement is an uninterrupted and lasting process, which has to be safeguarded, nurtured and enhanced by all members of UT management and staff. It is this principle which will ensure UT’s place as a sustainable and highly reputable open and distance learning institution, which will continue to flourish and enhance its important roles in the future. The UT system has also continued to evolve and improve in terms of its teaching and learning systems, management, and support services for students. Accordingly, UT’s current position reflects not only its past development and achievements, but also the future direction in the context of learners’ needs within Indonesian society. Currently UT provides four faculties with 33 study programs, six master’s programs and has 320.000 students living across the nation and in 36 countries.