The MoU signing between ITS and Uniba was carried out online, witnessed by the Deputy Chairman of Commission X DPR RI.

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is one of the best universities in Indonesia, which has been trusted to guide partner campuses across the country. One of them is with the University of Balikpapan (Uniba), which has renewed its cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) online, Friday (28/5).

The signing of this MoU was also witnessed by Dr. Ir Hetifah Sjaifudian MPP, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI). Looking at the track record of collaboration between ITS and Uniba, previously, these two universities had collaborated since 2016. The signing of this MoU is to continue the cooperation that has been built over the past five years.

Based on the previous draft MoU, the agreement was valid until February 10, 2021. ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng expressed his gratitude to Uniba as a partner for extending this beneficial cooperation relationship.

ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (top right) while giving a speech and gratitude for the continuation of the ITS-Uniba collaboration

“We have already fought together in one phase for the advancement of national education. Hopefully, this cooperation will get better in the future, ” said the professor of Electrical Engineering. Not to forget, he also hopes that this collaboration will have an impact on accelerating the development and development of the new State Capital (IKN) in Kalimantan.

Uniba Chancellor Dr. Ir Isradi Zainal ST MT MH MM DESS IPU AEng also agreed that cooperation must continue and be improved in both intensity and quality. Moreover, according to him, the existence of IKN in Kalimantan should be a common concern so that universities can participate in overseeing the government’s strategic plans and can accommodate the expectations of the people of the capital city later.

On the same occasion, Uniba also signed an MoU with the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK). Responding to this, Chancellor Prof. Ir Budi Santosa Purwokartiko Ph.D. said that the collaboration initiated by Uniba was mainly carried out in developing Balikpapan, an area whose human resources (HR) are economically dependent on oil and coal resources.

With this cooperation, he also hopes to be an example for society, initiating expected progress. “In Kalimantan and the new IKN must be able to produce great human resources through these universities, so as to create a new source of economic resilience,” said the chancellor, who is also a professor of Industrial Engineering ITS.

Contacted separately, ITS Director of Business Cooperation and Management (DKPU) Tri Joko Wahyudi ST MT Ph.D. explained that ITS collaboration with Uniba was a collaboration in Education, Research, and Community Service. This is the result of an adjustment to the main goals of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.

Presentation by ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng regarding the factors that influence future development

In addition, this recently agreed extension is a form of support from the campus for the Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) program. “Previously, ITS and Uniba would welcome their students to exchange students in the field of education. Furthermore, ITS also welcomes partner campus students to research in the ITS laboratory,” said the ITS Civil Engineering Department lecturer regarding the form of ITS – Uniba collaboration so far.

In the field of research, ITS – Uniba are also involved in joint research related to Epi-Unet (Eastern Part of Indonesia University Network). “Previously, it was more in the fields of education and research, while in the future, it will be more in the realm of MBKM. Even cross-interest activities,” he added. It is also possible that there will be cooperation on the basis of accelerated IKN development.

The signing of the MoU was also followed by a talk show with the theme The Role of Higher Education in Building and Overseeing IKN. The ITS Chancellor participated in giving his presentation in a talk show that several factors will influence future development. “So let’s project IKN together on the technology of the industrial revolution 4.0, society 5.0, and policies related to clean energy,” he said.

With a strategic plan based on a green environment and digital intelligence with intelligent energy, smart industry, and intelligent economy supported by financial adequacy, economic management, and existing human resources, the results will be well controlled. “Don’t wait until we make a plan to overcome or fix it. Development planning must be pursued early on,” he reminded.

Photo with an invitation to the ITS-Uniba-ITK collaboration talk show with the theme of the Role of Higher Education in Building and Guarding IKN

Supporting this statement, Ashari admitted that ITS is ready to contribute to advancing future technological innovations. He said the increase in the existence of technoparks at ITS had previously helped the government in several areas such as the location where ITS is located, Surabaya, and the Ministry of Transportation. Including the MoU of cooperation which has just been signed, the best possible transfer of knowledge will be carried out so that creativity is contagious and has a broader impact.

The Deputy of Commission X DPR RI also thoroughly appreciated the academics from the three universities who attended the talk show because they were willing to initiate such good cooperation. “It is in the hands of this university, the driving force for the community to switch to a green lifestyle. Hopefully, this synergy can be an example and create a diverse society with a global perspective, ” he hoped. (far/ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Kafa ‘Aisyana Ni’mah