The leaders and researchers of ITS and other universities visited NTU Renewable Energy Living Laboratory in Semakau Island, Singapore

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) continues to strive to develop research by collaborating with various parties, both on a national and international scale. One of them is by following up on ITS’ involvement in the cooperation of Indonesia Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (INSPIRASI) through a direct visit to the NTU campus in Singapore last week.

Previously, the signing of the collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) and the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) to finance the INSPIRASI project was held on December 14, 2022, in Jakarta. Simultaneously the signing of the collaboration between Indonesia Nanyang International University Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (INOVASI) between the Ministry of Education and Culture and NTU Singapore, which also involved ITS.

Deputy Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni ITS, Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng Ph.D., explained this visit was an activity of the INSPIRASI program initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, LPDP, and NTU.

Apart from ITS, there were also three other State Universities (PTN) that were invited to this program, namely the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), the University of Indonesia (UI), and Gadjah Mada University (UGM). “Later, joint research will be carried out between NTU and the four universities,” explained Bambang.

ITS Chancellor Prof Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng IPU AEng (fourth from the front left) with the ITS delegation during a visit to the INSPIRASI program at NTU Singapore

On the first day of the visit, an opening meeting was held for the research visit with NTU management, one of which was with NTU Industry Vice President Prof. Lam Khin Yong. Apart from Bambang, ITS Chancellor Prof Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng IPU AEng and Acting Director General of Higher Education, Research and Technology (Dirjen Diktiristek) Prof Ir Nizam MSc DIC Ph.D. IPU ASEAN Eng, along with ITS leaders and researchers and other universities also attended at the meeting.

Through this meeting, the objectives and forms of cooperation in the program were discussed again. The program, which has been planned for five years, has a flagship project: the construction of a Renewable Energy Living Laboratory and an eco campus in Indonesia.

“Of course, this is a good opportunity for ITS to adopt programs from NTU, especially in terms of renewable energy and eco campus,” said the ITS Mechanical Engineering Department lecturer.

The following day, the ITS delegation and others visited NTU’s Renewable Energy Living Laboratory on Semakau Island, Singapore. The groups were invited to see the laboratory facilities and technology developed by NTU related to renewable energy.

After conducting the visiting lab, Bambang said that researchers from universities who are members of this program would further discuss what research can be done. After that, the researchers will prepare a proposal that will later be submitted for funding in this program.

“The funding for this program will not be equalized by every university, but which proposals will be selected which are suitable for collaboration,” said Bambang.

Director of Research and Community Service (DRPM) ITS Fadlilatul Taufany ST Ph.D. (three from left) with Executive Director of Energy Research Institute NTU Prof. Srinivasan Madhavi (red shirt) and INSPIRASI Team from ITS on their way to Living Laboratory Renewable Energy NTU Singapore

Three main pillars are used as research material in this program: renewable energy, smart cities, and circular economy. These three things are expected to be immediately implemented by ITS, one of which is to innovate from renewable energy to save energy and reduce existing waste.

Finally, Bambang hopes that this research collaboration will continue to be carried out and implemented over time. In addition, the need for assistance from the academic community to carry out this INSPIRASI program in other forms of cooperation such as joint institutes, joint publications, researcher exchanges, or visiting professors.

“Hopefully, this program can improve ITS’s reputation internationally and increase the positive impact on society,” said Bambang optimistically. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Muhammad Aulia Zikra