UT Collaboration with Undana in Goods and Service Procurement

As an institution that operates Open and Distance Higher Education (ODHE) with good quality to produce highly competitive graduates, Universitas Terbuka (UT) continues to strive to provide more, better, and easier access and improved higher education services that people can enjoy more optimally in various regions across Indonesia. UT continues to transform digitally, especially in information systems and technology that support UT's business processes. One way is by developing and using the goods and services procurement application known as the Smart Procurement Management Information System (ProMISe). However, UT develops it and disseminates the results of UT's breakthroughs in various fields. Despite its continued transformation, UT always maintains its true identity and persistently carries out its mission of "Utilizing and disseminating the results of scientific studies, institutional research, and distance learning to cope with challenges and respond to demands in national development." This is proven by UT's collaboration with a number of institutions for the use of the ProMISe application.

Many disseminations and collaborations have previously been done with several institutions, and now UT collaborates with Universitas Nusa Cendana (Undana) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the application of ProMISe. The MoU was signed by UT's Rector, Prof. Dr. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus, Ph.D., and the Vice Rector for Finance and General Affairs of Undana, Dr. Jalaludin, M.Si., at the Plenary Meeting Room, Ground Floor, Wisma 2 of UT's Headquarter Office, Kantor Pusat UT Pondok Cabe, Tangerang Selatan, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Adrian Sutawijaya, S.E., M.Si., the Unit Head of Goods and Services Procurement (UPBJ) of UT, and Dr. Paul Tamelan, M.Si., the Work Unit Head of Goods and Services Procurement (UKPBJ) of Undana, as well as several senior officials from both institutions.

The ceremony began with remarks from UT's Vice Rector for Finance and General Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si. He expressed gratitude to Undana for collaborating with UT in using the ProMISe application as part of UT's mandate from the government to disseminate its good practices to all partners and counterparts, including universities, colleges, ministries, and other institutions. Prof. Ali emphasized that while UT has transformed into a Legal Entity State University (PTN BH), it has also undergone a transformation in good governance. The Goods and Services Procurement Unit (UPBJ) remains an independent unit that serves as the front guard in terms of UT's accountability in asset management. Prof. Ali stated, "It doesn't matter how well-developed the information system and application are if they are not coupled with good principles and well-trained human resources. Therefore, UPBJ has developed ProMISe into a solid application."

Prof. Ali highlighted the three key factors that operate the goods and services procurement within the UT organization. These factors include the commitment of chief officers to provide the best quality goods and services, the establishment of clear and unambiguous regulations and systems for goods and services procurement, and the presence of competent human resources in the independent organization of the Goods and Services Procurement Unit (UPBJ). He concluded by stating that ProMISe is a lifelong learning process continually being developed and growing, and UT must strive to ensure that its users and the institution itself become smart in utilizing the application.

Dr. Jalaludin, the Vice Rector for Finance and General Affairs from Undana, expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by UT in solving the difficulties encountered in goods and services procurement at Undana. He mentioned that under the MoU, Undana receives an intermediate solution to overcome procurement challenges. Dr. Jalaludin acknowledged the difficulties faced in tender processes at Undana and expressed hope that the strong partnership with UT will continue to benefit all parties involved and future generations seeking access to high-quality higher education.

The program concluded with the successful signing of the MoU and a meeting between officers from UT and Undana. UT's collaborations with other institutions aim to maintain and improve the quality of education, particularly higher education in Indonesia. Through these partnerships, mutual strengthening and support among universities and higher education institutions can be achieved. As UT's Rector has emphasized, there is no competition in the education sector, and all higher education institutions must work together hand in hand to create a generation of young individuals who will inherit the nation.