(from left) VP Corporate Secretary of PT BGR Rifanni Sari, Director of PT BGR M Kuncoro Wibowo, ITS Rector Prof. Dr Mochamad Ashari, and ITS Deputy Rector IV Bambang Pramujati after signing the MoU

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is increasingly ready to play a role in developing education, research, and community empowerment by expanding cooperation networks. The expanding networks are evidenced by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa (Persero) or PT BGR which is engaged in logistics and delivery of goods, Friday (9/10).

Taking place in the Senate Meeting Room of the ITS Rectorate Building, this MoU was signed directly by ITS Rector Prof. Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng and President Director of PT BGR M Kuncoro Wibowo. The MoU signing was also accompanying Deputy Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and ITS Alumni Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD and Vice President Corporate Secretary PT BGR Rifanni Sari.

The Rector, who is familiarly called Ashari, enthusiastically welcomed one of the PT BGR, which used oil waste to become biodiesel. According to him, ITS has various disciplines in line with the program. One of them is from the Department of Chemical Engineering. “We hope this cooperation can also enter the energy sector,” he said.

ITS Rector Prof. Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng when giving a speech at the signing of the MoU with PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa (Persero)

The Professor of Electrical Engineering continued, the ITS Center for Excellence in Science and Technology (PUI), focused on logistics, will also support cooperation. Together with the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DRPM), namely through the ITS Halal Studies Center which directly interacts with the community, ITS is also ready to empower the community with the PT BGR Food Stall program.

Apart from working together in innovation and science, ITS is also ready to work together through the company PT ITS Tekno Sains. That way, it is hoped that ITS and PT ITS Tekno Sains can work together to be closer to innovation and commercial.

On the same occasion, President Director of PT BGR M Kuncoro Wibowo expressed his happiness working with ITS to advance and realize three things. The management of used cooking oil into biodiesel, the Food Stalls program to support the government’s Food Security Program, and integrating logistics with the Internet of Things (IoT).

President Director of PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa (Persero), M Kuncoro Wibowo while giving a speech at the signing of the MoU

Believing in the quality of ITS Human Resources (HR) who have high competence, Kuncoro also opens vast opportunities for ITS students to intern and work at PT BGR. “We hope this cooperation can continue, we are ready with all proposals to be presented,” he said.

The MoU signing by ITS Rector Prof. Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (two from right) with Managing Director of PT Bhanda Ghara Reksa (Persero) M Kuncoro Wibowo (second from left)

The MoU signing ceremony, immediately followed a Kick-Off meeting to discuss further the strategies will be carried out to realize the cooperation between ITS and PT BGR. The Kick-Off Meeting discussed three cooperation topics: the program for the management and utilization of used cooking oil, endorsement of Food Stalls, and halal assistance for Food Stalls Partners’ products. (AI/sel/ITS Public Relations)