ITS Rector Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng gave a speech at the discussion with the Embassy of Denmark regarding the potential cooperation sectors

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) followed up on a cooperative relationship with the Embassy of Denmark in Indonesia, which directly visited ITS last year. Through an online meeting on Friday (9/7), the two parties discussed options for the cooperation sector that would be initiated in the future.

In his remarks, ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng assessed that the transition of energy sources to transportation with a decarbonization strategy is enormous potential. Especially in the maritime and electricity sectors, which have been the focus of ITS for a long time. “Referring to the key points in the Industrial Revolution 4.0, we are ready to synergize with the Denmark government,” said the rector called Ashari.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Lars Bo Larsen, and his staff Mathias Emil Bengtsson as Political and Economic Advisors agree with Ashari’s statement. Both parties believed that the maritime sector did have an essential role in developing the two countries. This concern comes from the appearance of the natural conditions of Indonesia and Denmark, which are not much different; both countries are archipelagos.

Denmark’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Lars Bo Larsen, in the online discussion of potential sectors for collaboration with ITS

For this reason, Lars Bo Larsen revealed that through ITS, Denmark and Indonesia can work together to create a green and sustainable ecosystem. “With this, we want to collaborate referring to Indonesia’s strategic position to develop maritime business, such as research on making green ships,” he explained.

To explore existing cooperation opportunities, several related directorates at ITS were also present to explain various kinds of research desired so far. The Director of Research and Community Development (DRPM) ITS Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSc PhD and the Director of Innovation and Science Technology Area (DIKST) ITS Dr. Ir Achmad Affandi DEA.

The presentation on Innovation & Science Techno Park by the Director of Innovation and Science Technology Area ITS Dr. Ir Achmad Affandi DEA

Lead by ITS Vice-Rector IV Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD, and the meeting continued with a discussion session. The ITS Maritime Innovation Cluster Unit Manager, Ir Tri Achmadi PhD, had coordinated with The Embassy of Denmark since the first collaboration meeting. Tri Achmadi considered that cooperation could soon continue, especially in the decarbonization industry, because ITS has experience with several sectors in Indonesia.

Therefore, Tri Achmadi considered that Indonesia and Denmark could soon continue signing the memorandum of understanding, so both countries can immediately agree on what will be the focus of cooperation, especially in the maritime sector. “In this case, we can hold a triangular discussion for the development of green ships between ITS, the Danish Government, and the Indonesia Ministry of Defense. The ministry has been in synergy with ITS about ship design since 2018,” he explained.

Participants who attended the discussion related to the cooperation sector between ITS and Denmark

Lars Bo Larsen welcomed the proposal and revealed that further development could be carried out in the matrix on possible related collaborations. He will immediately follow up on the contextual ideas of cooperation that would apply. Another potential for possible collaboration is the procurement of satellite programs and considered to be realized through collaboration with telecommunications companies that ITS has fostered in the last ten years.

The other possible cooperation is about collaboration in the academic field that ITS can foster with campuses in Denmark. There will be a discussion on student exchange programs and research collaborations between the two countries in the future. “For that, we can later schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss ITS collaboration with The Embassy of Denmark,” concluded Bambang Pramujati, who also acted as moderator. (sel/ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Astri Nawwar Kusumaningtyas