UT Collaborates with Indonesian Consulate General in Penang to Expand Higher Education Access

One of the important mandates of the government at the establishment of Universitas Terbuka (UT) 38 years ago was the equitable distribution of higher education to remote areas. Until now, UT has not only reached people residing in Indonesia but also those living abroad by providing outstanding and flexible higher education services at an affordable cost. In line with this, in order to improve access to education for migrant workers abroad, especially in Penang, Malaysia, on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Malaysia time, UT Rector Prof. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., and his team visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Penang.

The UT delegation present at KJRI included Dr. Meirani Harsasi, S.E., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB); Kurnia Endah Riana, S.E., M.Com., Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FEB; Olivia Idrus, S.E., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Learning Services, and Cooperation of FEB; Dr. Maya Maria, S.E.., M.M., Head of the Sub Directorate of Public Relations and Marketing; and FEB lecturers Rini Dwiyani H., S.E., M.Si. Prof. Ojat and his team were warmly welcomed by Consul General Bapak Bambang Suharto and his staff. In his opening remarks, Prof. Ojat expressed gratitude for the support of KJRI Penang in facilitating the teaching and learning process at UT.

The distance learning services of UT in Malaysia were initiated in 2008. It is remarkable that the number of UT students in Malaysia has significantly increased. As of May 2023, the number of UT students abroad is 4,218, with the largest percentage (41.5%) of 1,388 students located in Malaysia. The number of UT students in Penang currently ranks second highest in Malaysia (28%) after Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the number of UT graduates/alumni in Malaysia is 267.

However, the number of UT students in Malaysia is still considered relatively small compared to the number of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and diaspora residing in Malaysia. Therefore, more intensive collaboration with KJRI Penang is being pursued.

Before concluding the event, the Rector requested assistance from KJRI Penang and its staff in promoting information about UT to the public. Furthermore, the Rector requested support from KJRI Penang to ensure the seamless implementation of UT's graduation ceremony, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur in September 2023.