From National Team Goalkeeper to Officials, Open University Realises Higher Education for All

Universitas Terbuka (UT) has affirmed its commitment and strategic role in providing inclusive access to higher education for all levels of society, regardless of age, social status, or professional background. This inclusivity was clearly reflected in the UT Graduation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Even Semester, Region 2, held in South Tangerang on Tuesday, where approximately 1,500 graduates from 13 regional UT offices attended. Notably, this cohort featured a range of inspiring profiles, from Indonesian National Futsal Team goalkeeper Muhammad Albagir to a host of bureaucratic officials and people’s representatives. UT Rector Prof Ali Muktiyanto, during a press conference on the sidelines of the ceremony, stated that the presence of various public figures and community leaders among the graduates is valid proof of UT’s struggle to boost the quality of human resources nationally. ‘We want to truly declare that UT is committed to jointly fighting to improve the quality of our nation’s people. Only an educated nation can achieve its aspirations of becoming a developed country, and there is no history of a developed country not being pioneered by its educated class,’ he said. Through its open learning system, the public is given space to upgrade their qualifications from undergraduate to doctoral levels, while also refreshing their competencies through reskilling and upskilling. To ensure the relevance of graduates to the demands of the times, UT has also overhauled its education system by adopting Outcome Based Education (OBE). ‘This means it is truly expected to link with the needs of society, not just linked to the business, industry, and work sectors, but the needs of the community,’ said Ali Muktiyanto. Proof of the strict, impartial standards was experienced firsthand by graduates from official circles, such as Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives Muhammad Habibur Rochman, who completed his Master of Management studies, and Head of the Bali Province Regional Development Planning Agency I Wayan Wiasthana Ika Putra, who successfully earned a Doctor of Public Administration degree amidst his busy schedule designing regional development. ‘Thus, the quality of education and services for the officials here is also the same. If they do not pass, they do not pass; there is no dispensation because we do not look at status. So once again, our foundation is quality, we live together with quality, and we live for quality,’ said Rahmat Budiman.