Page 6 - Universitas Terbuka Center of Excellence In Asia 2010 and The World 2020 (A Journey Towards a Leading Open and Distance Education Institution 1984-2008)

moving through , enforcing all staff to change themselves and achieve defined
targets .

Nowadays in 2009 , UT has significantly developed itself to be a well

respected distance higher education institution. This has been an achievement
following long and tedious effort and hard work. UT has been working hard for

over twenty fo~r years since its inception in 4 September 1984 to put plans into
reality . Success that is booked now is an accumulation of a series of successes
- the activities of which have been done since 1984. During the period of 1984-

2000, UT spent its effort to lay the foundation for further development of the
university. Meanwhile, the following period of 2001-2009 has witnessed the
reform era of bureaucracy in which UT made significant steps of reinventing

itself. Its distance education practices that have been implemented in the
previous 16 years were reviewed and revised for improvement. Principles, norms
and ethics in distance higher education institution were rev iewed, clarified, and

subsequently redefined . When redefinition is eventually made , it is merely for
one purpose, that is , to achieve the vision of UT by 2010 and 2020 .

Changes move on like an orchestra that needs a lot of talented players who

play various kinds of musical instruments but they are based on the same
musical scores. As an orchestra, a conductor, of course, is needed. He/she will
perform his/her role as arranger or designer, steward and teacher. During the

period of 2001-2009 , Prof. Dr. M. Atwi Suparman , MSc has been performing his
role as a conductor of an orchestra called UT. As a Rector, Prof. Dr. M. Atwi
Suparman , MSc has inspired , initiated, as well as led the process of UT

exploration to re-establish its identity as a well respected distance higher
education institution and become the captain of the change process. As such , it

is reasonable indeed that this invaluable book is specially dedicated to Prof. Dr.
M. Atwi Suparman , MSc., as a manifestation of respect and appreciation on his
visionary leadership of 8 years of being the captain of UT. So many lessons have

been learned , so many precious experiences can be learned from him. Also,

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