Page 336 - Universitas Terbuka Center of Excellence In Asia 2010 and The World 2020 (A Journey Towards a Leading Open and Distance Education Institution 1984-2008)

Challenges and Actions to Realize a

Leading Distance Higher Education
Institution

Competition between distance higher education institutions is getting tight,

even at the same time it offers some opportunities for mutually beneficial
cooperation to improve performance. This condition should naturally encourage

distance education institutions, including UT, to work more seriously, perform
better, try to improve quality so that the vision, mission and objective can be

achieved . Distance education institutions are encouraged to take concrete
actions, work in partnership with other institutions in various areas that can help

improve the quality and performance of staff and institution. The areas include
(1) research and development, (2) quality assurance, (3) dissemination of
information and innovation, (4) publication of journal and research results, (5)

information and communication technology, (6) active participation in existing

professional organizations , (7) recognition of program , subject and credit transfer
between PT JJ , (8) program development and joint subjects, (9) staff exchange,
and (1 0) anticipation of possible problems in cooperation and partnership.

Some of the above ideas have been implemented effectively by UT, and

others still need to enhanced , and the format should be improved to make it more
effective and mutually beneficial. In order to realize the vision of becoming a
mega university with high competitive edge and reference for best practices in

PTJJ , UT needs to carefully follow up and face the challenge. Therefore , quality

improvement and equality with other leading distance education institutions
should be constantly carried out as a means of self-evaluation and self-
improvement, and to ensure UT's position as an excellent and competitive

distance higher education institution. Self-evaluation which is followed up by
continuous self-improvement should be implemented earnestly. The quality and

competence of UT's human resources should be improved so as to make UT a

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