The symbolic procession of first stone laying on ITS Maritime STP building construction that ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng done at PT Gapura Shipyard area, Bangkalan, Madura

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) is increasingly showing seriousness in supporting the downstream of Maritime research. That is evidenced by the initiation of ITS to build the Maritime Science Techno Park (STP) building. Starting the construction process, ITS held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Maritim STP building located in the area of PT Galangan Kapal Madura (Gapura Shipyard), Thursday (28/10).

In collaboration with Gapura Shipyard, which located in Banyu Ajuh Village, Bangkalan Regency, Madura. This ceremony is attended by ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng, Commissioner of PT Gapura Shipyard Desun Raimundus, Operations Director of PT Biro Statistik Indonesia (BKI) Mohamad Cholil, Director of Operations of PT Gapura Shipyard Benny Benyamin, and all company partners and ITS leaders.

ITS Rector Prof Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng gave a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the ITS Maritime STP-Gapura at PT Gapura Shipyard, Bangkalan, Madura

In his opening, the ITS Maritime Innovation Cluster Unit Manager, Ir Tri Achmadi Ph.D. He said the construction of the building, which is the ITS maritime innovation cluster, was motivated by the condition of the campus. Which currently does not have a large water area. “This condition results in limitations for academics who want to do a full trial of maritime products,” he said.

He continued, ITS proposed a collaboration with PT Gapura Shipyard to establish a research and learning center (teaching factory) in the maritime sector. This invitation for cooperation was immediately warmly welcomed with a follow-up in the form of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by both parties early last year.

As is known, ITS has developed the STP area since 2016 with four focus areas, namely Automotive, Maritime, Creative Industries. And Information, Communication & Technology (ICT), and Robotics. Through STP, research conducted by the ITS extended family will be developed in a technology-based start-up so that an innovation ecosystem is formed between academia, business, government, and the community as the main actors.

The Maritim STP building will be built over the next four months, with two floors covering an area of 450 square meters containing management rooms, research rooms, workshops, supporting spaces, meeting rooms, shelter accommodation rooms, and information technology support facilities. “The construction carries a steel structure with an industrial-themed interior,” added Tri.

STP Maritim-ITS building design located at PT Gapura Shipyard

In line with this, ITS Rector Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng also stated that the construction of the Maritime STP Building is one of the essential steps to support the development of business creation and employment and economic development from downstream research results by ITS lecturers and students.

“This is following ITS mission to become an Entrepreneurial University that produces intellectual property, ready-to-use products, and business people (start-up companies),” said the ITS Electrical Engineering professor enthusiastically.

(from left) PT BKI Operations Director Mohamad Cholil, PT Gapura Shipyard Commissioner Desun Raimundus, ITS Rector Prof Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng, PT Gapura Shipyard Operations Director Benny Benyamin, ITS Vice-Rector IV Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng Ph.D., and Innovation Cluster Unit Manager Maritime Affairs Ir Tri Achmadi Ph.D. after laying the first stone for the ITS Maritime STP Building

The Rector, who is often called Ashari, also expressed his hope that through the establishment of the Maritim STP Building, cooperation between institutions and industry can continue to be established to create more innovations. “It doesn’t stop there; we also hope for the birth of new entrepreneurs and companies that will eventually support the progress of the nation’s children towards a Golden Indonesia 2045,” he concluded optimistically. (gmk/ITS PR)

STP Maritim-ITS building design located at PT Gapura Shipyard

Reporter: Raisa Zahra Fadila/Muhammad Faris Mahardika