Disruptive change and learning innovations: Challenges and opportunities for Universitas Terbuka

Abstract

Since Covid-19 pandemic hit the world at the beginning of 2020s, various efforts were made to keep the education process running while still enforcing protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Online learning then becomes an option and inevitability for educational institutions to break the chain of spreading the virus. Furthermore, distance education (DE) has become the best choice for educational institutions in carrying out their learning activities. For Universitas Terbuka (UT), online learning is nothing new. As a pioneer of DE in Indonesia, UT is one step ahead of having strong experiences in open and distance learning practices and placing online learning as one of the main modes of learning delivery. Thus, UT has succeeded in making various breakthroughs ranging from registration, digital learning materials, synchronous and asynchronous academic support services, up to an online examination system equipped with online proctoring. The DE innovation developed by UT becomes a reference for other universities in Indonesia. With an integrated learning management system (LMS) and the number of alumni reaching up to 1.9 million, UT is able to carry out the Indonesia’s government mandate in opening the widest possible access to education for Indonesian citizens, both domiciled in Indonesia and abroad.