ITS Chancellor Prof. Ir Joni Hermana gave a speech on the 2018 IMRCS agenda

ITS Campus, ITS News – Relations between Indonesia and Malaysia are further strengthened by the presence of Indonesia – Malaysia Research Consortium (IMRC) 2018. In this case, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya, Indonesia together with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have a vision to accommodate and expand research cooperation through the establishment of the consortium. Wednesday (21/11), IMRC 2018 officially began with a seminar that raised the topic of renewable energy at the ITS Research Center Building.

The seminar was attended by researchers and postgraduate students from Indonesia and Malaysia. The Green Energy Issue was the main topic, as this issue seen as a strategic field, considering the fossil fuel that becomes rarer and its eco-friendly aspect.

Prof Ir Joni Hermana MSc ES Ph.D., the chancellor of ITS, stated in his greetings that there will be a presentation about a new discovery of renewable energy by the researchers from Indonesia and Malaysia. Not only that but the researchers also can talk about other topics such as disaster management. “It is not an unusual thing for Indonesia and it is not only affecting Indonesia but also the neighbor country like Malaysia,” he added.

He also stated that there are many factors that can determine the success of this research cooperation and one of them is the government.  The government holds an important role in giving out the grant. “We are hoping the grant will widen out the potential to cooperate with other universities or other countries, just like through this IMRC,” Joni added.

Prof Dr. Arshad Ahmad, the keynote speaker from UTM, during his presentation about “Hydrogen as The Renewable Energy”

During IMRC 2018, several universities will discuss the opportunity to cooperate through student exchange, credit transfer, joint-publication, joint research, and many more. According to Joni, besides that, the most important thing is to build a commitment among the stakeholders to develop the ongoing cooperation.

Meanwhile, Prof Ir Dr. Wahid Omar, the Vice Chancellor of UTM, in his greeting stated that it is his second time to visit ITS. Whereas the relation between ITS and UTM has been close, especially on the research cooperation. “I hope this cooperation will carry on and create better research discoveries for both countries,” he added.

UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Ir Dr. Wahid bin Omar during his greeting on IMRCS 2018

According to Wahid, the focused field on IMRC 2018 is a response towards the development of the era. Along the incensement of the population, the demand for energy is also increased. “Renewable energy is the solution. Whereas this issue becoming the hot topic that discussed by many sides. We hope that there will be a discovery about renewable energy alternatives from this research cooperation.” he noted.

On the first day of the IMRC, a seminar was held and continued with a Parallel Session that divided into three topics; Energy, Material, and Engineering. On the second day Thursday, 22 November 2018, will be held an IMRC Forum that will be attended by The Director General and The Ministry of Education of Malaysia, The Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of both countries, also the stakeholders of the higher education institution from both countries that involved in the consortium. This forum will generate the main conclusion of IMRC 2018. (Owi/ITS Public Relations Officer/yuliawati)