ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng gave the opening speech at the peak event of ITS’s 63rd Anniversary which was held at Graha Sepuluh Nopember ITS

ITS Campus, ITS News – The highlight of the celebration of the 63rd Anniversary of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) was presenting a national figure in the environmental sector, Prof H Emil Salim MA PhD, to give a scientific oration with the theme Sustainable Environment to Welcome Indonesia in the Future. This activity, which was the culmination of a series of ITS Anniversary commemorations, was held at ITS Graha Sepuluh Nopember, Friday (10/11).

In his oration, this member of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) invited the Indonesian people to transform the environment into a smart environment. He conveyed a statement from the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) who predicted that the earth’s temperature would increase from 0 degrees Celsius to 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2025.

The former Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council for the 2007 – 2010 period explained that the impact of climate change could cause problems with human health such as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), Meningitis, Stroke, and several other problems. Apart from health, climate change also has an impact on rising sea levels due to the melting of ice at the North and South Poles. “The melting of this ice will increase the volume of seawater in the Indian and Pacific Oceans,” said the former Minister of the Environment in the New Order era.

Responding to this problem, Emil suggested that all educational institutions, especially universities (PT) in Indonesia, implement a curriculum based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is hoped that this curriculum can help the younger generation prepare themselves for the modern era. “It is hoped that this curriculum can encourage the younger generation to create environmentally friendly alternative energy,” said the nephew of National Hero H Agus Salim.

Scientific oration delivered by member of the BRIN Steering Committee Prof H Emil Salim MA PhD at the peak of ITS’s 63rd Anniversary

Apart from educational institutions, the 93-year-old Professor at the University of Indonesia (UI) also encouraged the Indonesian government to create new regulations on the purchase price of coal at PT PLN’s Steam Power Plant (PLTU). This regulation aims to enable the government to play an active role in promoting renewable alternative energy.

Thanks to Emil’s real dedication to the nation and state, ITS is proud to give him a prestigious award entitled the Sepuluh Nopember Award. This award was handed over directly by ITS Chancellor Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng as a symbol of Emil’s active and real contribution to the Indonesian nation.

Previously, ITS had also given the highest award to several other national figures. Among others are former President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr (HC) Jusuf Kalla, former Minister of Education and Culture Prof Dr Ir Muhammad Nuh DEA, former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Committee Ir Agus Rahardjo MSM.

Giving souvenirs by the ITS Chancellor Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (three from the right) to Prof H Emil Salim MA PhD (three from the left) along with other ITS leaders after the presentation of the Sepuluh Nopember Award

On the same occasion, apart from Emil Salim, ITS also gave several other awards to ITS academics and several international partners who were considered to have contributed and provided benefits to ITS and society. These include the Wira Adhiacarya Awards (for lecturers), Wira Adhisatya (for students), Wira Adhiaprakarsa (for lecturers who advance units), and ITS International Partners (for international partners).

Interestingly, the event which was attended by all ITS lecturers and educational staff (tendik) was opened with a Remo dance stage performance by several foreign students at ITS. Congratulations also came virtually from the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and the Minister of Social Affairs Dr (HC) Tri Rismaharini. Not to forget, various congratulations from ITS partners such as Kumamoto University, Japan; East Java Veteran National Development University (UPN); Airlangga University and various other partners.

In his speech, the ITS Chancellor conveyed the various achievements, contributions, and real work that ITS has provided to the Indonesian nation over the past 63 years. Starting from ITS’ courage in opening a new faculty, namely the Faculty of Medicine and Health (FKK), which was also one of the dreams of one of ITS’s founders, Dr. Angka Nitisastro.

The performance of the Remo Dance by foreign students studying at ITS opened the peak celebration of ITS’s 63rd Anniversary

More than that, the chancellor, who is familiarly called Ashari, stated that ITS also plays an active role in increasing industry and university collaboration at home and abroad. This is proven by ITS’ success in achieving 128th place in the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds Asia University Rankings (QS AUR). “The achievement of this new ranking shows our (ITS) real commitment to increasing the recognition and potential of the Indonesian nation,” he stressed.

With the closing of this year’s Dies Natalis, Ashari hopes that national figures, lecturers, staff, students, and the general public will be more enthusiastic about advancing the Indonesian nation. He also hopes that ITS will be more active and enthusiastic in making breakthroughs that can play a big role in the progress of the Indonesian nation. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Bima Surya Samudra