Banten. Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has reaffirmed its strong backing for Universitas Terbuka (UT) in its mission to bolster the country’s science and technology ecosystem.
At the heart of this support is the 5th International Seminar of Science and Technology (ISST) 2025, hosted by UT on October 30th at its Pondok Cabe campus in South Tangerang. The event, held both in person and online, gathered researchers, academics, students, and practitioners from around the globe.
The seminar’s theme, “Advancing Science and Technology for a Sustainable and Resilient Future,” reflects UT’s commitment to aligning with national development goals. According to Subekti Nurmawati, Dean of UT’s Faculty of Science and Technology, ISST is a meaningful way to implement the university’s academic mission (tridarma), especially in promoting STEM education across its vast student base of around 53,000.
On the government side, Yudi Darma, Director of Dissemination and Utilization of Science and Technology at Kemdiktisaintek, emphasized that UT is more than just a collaborator — “UT is our partner and part of us.” He praised ISST because it helps bring science closer to society, giving academics a platform to present their innovations and engage with wider communities.
Yudi also noted that supporting science and technology is central to the government’s vision for Indonesia’s future. While social and environmental agendas remain important, he stressed that scientific innovation should directly contribute to improving welfare.
From UT’s leadership, Adrian Sutawijaya, Vice Rector for Finance, Resources, and General Affairs, underlined that strengthening science and technology is a top academic priority. He added that UT plans to go beyond just disseminating scientific knowledge — it aims to foster innovation through intellectual property rights (IPR) and patents, ensuring that new discoveries benefit not only academia but society as a whole.
In summary, the Kemdiktisaintek’s support for UT signals a shared national ambition: to root science and technology deeply in Indonesia’s higher education system, empowering the country to tackle future challenges with innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
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