Scientific Oration Q&A session with Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard C Adkerson (left) and Investment Minister/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia (center) moderated by presenter Senandung Nacita

ITS Campus, ITS News – The current government’s big vision is to realize economic transformation by creating added value through industrial downstream, one of which is pursued through the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the downstream of PT Freeport Indonesia. As a collaborative step with the academic world, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) was also partnered with which was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was held in a series of Scientific Oration events at Graha Ten November ITS, Tuesday (4/10).

The MoU signing cooperation between ITS and PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) and the Ministry of Investment/BKPM was emphasized for education and training. In addition, research and studies are carried out to implement Merdeka Campus Program curriculum launched by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).

The signing of the MoU by the President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas (second from left) and ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (second from right) witnessed directly by the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia (left) and Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard C Adkerson (right)

In his remarks, ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari, MEng IPU AEng, explained the various collaborations established with PT Freeport Indonesia and the Ministry of Investment/BKPM. One of them is cooperation for student apprenticeship education and training. “Hopefully, this collaboration with Freeport will further enhance ITS’ achievements and research,” hoped the ITS Professor of Electrical Engineering.

ITS was chosen as the first host for implementing a Scientific Oration entitled Economic Transformation through Downstreaming with Local Wisdom, which will also be held in several other cities in Indonesia. This is because Surabaya is the economic gateway for eastern Indonesia. This Scientific Oration presented the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Freeport-McMoran Richard C Adkerson as presenters.

In his scientific oration, Richard explained the development of the smelter project in Gresik. He said mining jobs are often considered dangerous and dare to get dirty. However, Richard broke the stigma by explaining the use of technology used by Freeport. “Freeport operates using electrification technology and is carried out by great female workers from Papua,” said the alumnus of Mississippi State University, United States.

Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard C Adkerson delivered his scientific oration related to the downstream economy in Indonesia in front of 1,500 ITS students.

Furthermore, Richard said that in promoting the local wisdom economy, Freeport cooperates with 98 percent of Indonesian workers, and 40 percent of them are indigenous Papuans. “Freeport highly values diversification of workers regardless of their background and provides equal opportunities for women,” said Richard.

Meanwhile, in his scientific oration, the Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia said that if the industry develops, the community’s welfare will also be built. So far, according to him, people think Indonesia, as a developing country, is still lagging in economic growth.

Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia when delivering his scientific oration in front of around 1,500 ITS students at Graha Ten November ITS

He also emphasized that it is not true that foreign parties control investment in Indonesia, and he assured that global confidence under the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is also improving. “The implementation of downstream economic needs to be encouraged to make local people the host of the economy,” he said.

Even so, Bahlil’s efforts in economic downstream were rejected by foreign countries. Downstream is an instrument to create new jobs. “If job opportunities are not created, then universities should not only become intellectual factories because there are many unemployed graduates,” Bahlil reminded me.

Submission of scholarships from PT Freeport Indonesia to selected ITS student representatives and students from Papua at Graha Ten November ITS

Furthermore, Bahlil said that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the most crucial part of the nation’s growth. “The motherland calls her sons and daughters to devote themselves to the nation to realize the ideals of the proclamation of our founding father,” said the minister born in Banda.

As a form of Freeport McMoran’s contribution to human resource development (HR), this event also provided educational funds to ITS students. A total of 50 selected 3rd-semester students and above and 10 Papuan students studying at ITS were given educational funding assistance through scholarships. At the end of the session, the scholarship was given directly by Bahlil and Richard to build the downstream economy in the future. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Silvita Pramadani