Universities are expected to contribute to achieving energy security, a fundamental pillar of national sustainable development, through research and development.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Airlangga Hartarto conveyed this during a talk show titled The Role and Opportunities of Universities in the Downstream Agenda and Achieving Energy Security. 

The event took place on Tuesday (Feb. 4) at the SGLC Building Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM).

Dr. Hartarto emphasized that the government considers downstream efforts essential across various commodities, from mining products and agricultural goods to developing new and renewable energy. 

He also highlighted the role and contributions of universities in the national downstream agenda, particularly through curriculum adjustments, the development of vocational programs, and the formation of graduates equipped with the latest technological expertise.

“We must have mastery in downstream, including expertise in electric vehicle technology, microcontroller design, IC engineering, and semiconductor devices,” he stated.

To support downstream, Dr. Hartarto noted that breakthroughs in higher education policies are necessary to ensure equitable access to education for all Indonesians. 

This includes expanding scholarship opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We must encourage young Indonesians to pursue studies related to downstream, both domestically and abroad,” he asserted.

Equally important, he added, is fostering collaboration between universities and stakeholders at both national and international levels. 

This collaboration should be accompanied by research development in technologies that support downstream and energy security.

Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza pointed out that many industries in Indonesia struggle to benefit from downstream due to inadequate gas supplies, necessitating government intervention. 

This condition weakens industrial competitiveness compared to other countries.

“We need to ensure an adequate energy supply to strengthen industrial competitiveness,” he explained.

The talk show moderator, Professor Tumiran, emphasized that universities can play a crucial role in advancing the national downstream agenda and achieving energy security, ultimately supporting Indonesia’s economic growth target of 8%.

“The key question is: What strategy should we adopt to drive 8% economic growth? What is the roadmap? I believe downstream is the answer—to optimize our mineral resources through knowledge and skills transformation, enabling the nation to generate maximum added value,” he concluded.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographs by: Firsto and Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs

Artikel Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto Urges Universities to Support National Downstream Agenda pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This is exemplified by the achievements of two of its alumni, Gerry Utama and Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, who successfully explored Antarctica for international research missions.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia praised the two researchers’ accomplishments during a meeting on Monday (Feb. 2). 

She believes that the work of Dr. Nugroho and Gerry, as they are commonly called, will motivate other scientists in Indonesia. 

Professor Emilia stated that their success proves that Indonesia, particularly UGM, possesses human resources that are on par with those of other developed nations. She promised to encourage UGM’s involvement in further research and policies related to Antarctica. 

“Research is always dynamic. I think there will be a need for a laboratory or an Antarctic Study Center that we can develop because there’s great potential in this field. If we can contribute positively to the nation and the world, UGM will support it,” said Professor Emilia.

Regarding the Antarctic Treaty System, which 58 countries have signed, Professor Emilia acknowledged that much coordination is still required with the Indonesian government officials. 

The Antarctic Treaty is an important instrument for a country to actively participate in extensive exploration of Antarctica. 

Although Indonesia has yet to declare its readiness to sign the Antarctic Treaty, Professor Emilia stated that UGM is always prepared to support the process. 

“We need to speak directly with the government, and we will present the good points, what UGM has already done, and what needs to be prepared,” explained the rector.

Professor Emilia highlighted that UGM’s commitment to the Antarctic Treaty is part of the university’s effort to continuously contribute to global research that directly impacts environmental sustainability and climate change. 

By supporting the participation of Indonesian students and researchers in international scientific expeditions, UGM plays a crucial role in strengthening Indonesia’s position in managing the Antarctic region. 

“We want to raise awareness about the importance of Antarctica as an area that requires serious attention from the entire international community,” she concluded.

Gerry, an alumnus of UGM’s Faculty of Geography, became the first Indonesian and ASEAN citizen to participate in the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) from February to July 2024 while pursuing his Master’s in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

During the expedition, Gerry researched geomorphology and paleogeography to reconstruct a new atlas of Russia’s King George Island. Gerry’s research is particularly significant in the context of global climate change, which is currently a major concern worldwide. 

“Aside from wood fossils, I also mapped moss with varying colors. This serves as an important indicator in understanding the climate dynamics in Antarctica and the world,” he emphasized.

Gerry (31), who became the youngest researcher in Indonesia’s mission to Antarctica, recounted that he and his team discovered a massive iceberg three days after the ship landed.

If reconstructed, the release of such a large iceberg from the ice sheet also indicates faster ice melt, which could disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems and pose greater threats to coastal habitats. 

“Indonesia should be more aware of this phenomenon since our country is largely composed of seas. Therefore, signing the Antarctic Treaty should be a priority,” he added.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan (43), a lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), participated in the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) from 2016 to 2017. 

During the expedition, he conducted research on the evolution of the Antarctic continent through the petrology study of methanol rocks, which are aged between 2.5 billion and 500 million years.

Dr. Nugroho successfully published seven international journals from his Antarctic mission, contributing to the global development of geological studies. 

Dr. Nugroho also brought home rock samples with a honeycomb structure, which he found in Antarctica, and has donated them to the UGM Biology Museum and the Bandung Geological Museum.

The first Indonesian geologist to research the Antarctic continent explained that Antarctica is a terra incognita, or land largely unknown to humans, so the research conducted there will undoubtedly provide important insights, especially in earth sciences. 

Echoing Gerry, Dr. Nugroho hopes the Indonesian government will pay more attention to natural phenomena occurring in Antarctica. 

“We must remember that Indonesia and Antarctica are not separate; we share the same summit ground. So, I believe it’s quite important for Indonesia to get involved in strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change to prepare for potential future scenarios,” he emphasized.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Ready to Encourage Indonesia’s Participation in Antarctic Treaty pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr. Arsana stated that, according to international regulations (UNCLOS – United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), northern Tangerang’s waters are archipelagic, meaning their sovereignty cannot be owned by individuals or companies. 

Coastal Water Utilization Rights (HP3) were once regulated by Law No. 27 of 2007, but the Constitutional Court annulled it due to non-compliance with fairness principles.

Dr. Arsana made this statement during the ‘Mapping the Sea Fencing Dispute’ Sekolah Wartawan event held by the UGM Campus Journalists Forum (Fortakgama) on Thursday (Jan. 30) at the UGM Central Office. 

“There is a clear lack of understanding of spatial planning policies as the fencing does not align with Banten Province’s coastal and marine zoning,” Dr. Arsana remarked.

He also refuted claims that the sea fence in Tangerang was built on previously submerged land. The idea that the sea fence is for erosion control is also inaccurate. Dr. Arsana and his team conducted a study using satellite imagery archives showing the area has always been water. 

Satellite data from 1976 indicated that the shoreline was still hundreds of meters away from the current location of the sea fence, and this remained the case up to 1982, despite claims of land certificates. 

“This case indicates efforts to convert sea into land by various means,” Dr. Arsana explained.

The expert and his team also investigated the first appearance of the sea fence using satellite imagery.

Based on Sentinel 2 data, construction is estimated to have started in May 2024. A 6-kilometer fence was already built by June, extending to 6-7 kilometers by July and continuing until November. 

“Under international law, there should be no land ownership (SHM) or building rights (HGB) in those waters, as privatizing the sea affects fishing communities who rely on the ocean for their livelihood,” he noted.

The granting of land rights along Tangerang’s coast stems from early errors during certificate applications. 

Dr. Arsana also outlined the various parties involved in the issue, including individuals and legal entities as applicants, the Spatial Planning Office or regional government, National Land Agency (BPN) surveyors, and relevant ministries or institutions. 

“It’s important to remember that individuals or legal entities should not alter marine zones into reclamation areas without permission,” he concluded.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel UGM Expert: Archipelagic Waters Cannot Be Owned by Individuals or Companies pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

According to reports from various media outlets, the proposal for granting mining business licenses to universities is stated in Article 51A Paragraph (1), which mentions that mining business permits (WIUP) can be granted to universities as a priority.

Dr. Lucas Donny Setijadji, a lecturer in the Department of Geological Engineering, UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), expressed surprise at the Minerba Bill, which allows universities to manage mines. 

He noted that universities’ role is to produce high-quality human resources, not to manage mines like typical mining companies. 

“I disagree with the government’s and DPR’s intention to grant universities the right to manage mining operations,” said Dr. Setijadji on Thursday (Jan. 30).

According to him, universities should focus on preparing human resources as higher education institutions. Therefore, universities need to be cautious in positioning themselves in this situation and always respond wisely.

However, if the decision to allow universities to manage mines is eventually mandated, Dr. Setijadji stated that the designated universities must take certain actions. 

These include using this opportunity to actively support government agendas, such as the downstream mining program.

Regarding mining downstream activities, Dr. Setijadji, an expert in mineral resource exploration, pointed out that Indonesia currently needs to discover new minerals such as lithium, rare earth metals, and graphite to support downstream acceleration. 

“Unfortunately, these metals have not yet been found in Indonesia,” he explained.

Dr. Setijadji emphasized the need for a legal framework to accommodate researchers interested in various mineral and energy resources based on government-funded research and collaborations with multiple donors. 

“With this legal framework, universities would also have intellectual property rights over discoveries they make in the future,” he asserted.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo: Kompas

Artikel UGM Geology Lecturer Rejects University Management of Mines pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The competition was held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, on 20-21 Jan.

In the competition, DTETI students collaborated with students from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (DTMI) as part of the Hi-Flex team. 

In the final round, the Hi-Flex team secured the First Runner-up title at the Huawei Developer Competition 2024 Asia Pacific for their innovation. They competed against 662,220 teams for a total prize pool of USD 34,000.

The Hi-Flex team consists of Aufa Nasywa Rahman, Ahmad Zaki Akmal, and Petrus Aria Chevalier Rambing (Information Technology 2021), along with Larasati Kinanti and Laurencia Otniel Sukamto (Industrial Engineering 2021). 

In a statement to reporters on Sunday (Jan. 27), Rahman explained that the Hi-Flex team designed their innovation based on an idea they conceived and developed independently. 

“All the creation and development of the solution (build solution) were done at DTETI,” he said.

In this competition, participants were tasked with developing information and communication technology (ICT) solutions using Huawei’s cloud technology to address real-world problems. 

“All participating teams were divided into the Enterprise Track and Student Track categories. Each category had six winners after several selection stages, including proposal submission, solution demo presentations, and competing in the final round,” he added.

At this year’s Huawei Developer Competition Asia Pacific, two of the six winning teams in the Student Track category were from UGM. 

The other team besides Hi-Flex was Cloudia Crew, consisting of students from the Department of Computer Science and Electronics at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM). This team secured the Second-Runner-up title.

Reporter: FT UGM/Rasya Swarnasta

Author: Tiefany

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Documentation: Huawei

Artikel UGM Students Win Award at Huawei Developer Competition Asia Pacific pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Search efforts for the unaccounted-for are still ongoing. This incident followed heavy rains that hit Petungkriyono District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java Province.

The primary cause of this landslide was the extremely high intensity of rainfall. Satellite data indicated several days of rainfall before the landslide, with the highest intensity reaching 93 mm/day. 

Some studies suggest that rainfall of 30 mm per day or 63 mm over three days could trigger landslides on Java. Environmental conditions like land-use changes may have also contributed to this landslide.

Professor Wahyu Wilopo, a Geology Engineering lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), emphasized that the landslide disaster in Pekalongan highlights the importance of implementing mitigation efforts. 

These efforts are particularly crucial for disasters triggered by hydrometeorological conditions like landslides, floods, and storms, which have been increasing year by year.

“Their frequency and impact continue to rise, driven by global climate change,” Professor Wilopo said on Friday (Jan. 24).

Regarding the cause of the landslide, the professor explained that the location at the foot of a slope is characterized by a colluvial fan morphology (loose sediment) with steep slopes and relatively loose materials. 

“The rock formations in Petungkriyono consist of volcanic rocks and deposits from past collapses, made up of clay to boulders,” he said.

He further explained that the area’s geological structure features several faults, both normal and strike-slip. 

“This condition accelerates the weathering process, resulting in thick soil deposits in some areas,” he explained.

For those living in landslide-prone areas, Professor Wilopo suggested several strategies to safeguard themselves, including recognizing and understanding the risks in the surrounding area, whether for locals or newcomers. 

He also advised identifying safe, non-isolated areas and the shortest, safest evacuation routes. 

“If there are signs of a landslide or prolonged rain, even if not heavy, it is best to evacuate independently to a safe location. If seeking shelter or taking a rest, choose a location away from potential landslide zones,” Professor Wilopo advised.

Some of the warning signs that people should be aware of include cracks in the ground, tilted poles or trees, and deteriorating building structures. Additionally, the emergence of cloudy water springs at the foot of a slope and falling soil or rocks from the slope could signal danger. 

“Usually, there will be vibrations and rumbling sounds before a large landslide occurs,” he added.

Professor Wilopo noted that many early detection warning systems have been developed to prevent casualties from landslides, including those from UGM, which have been implemented in various regions across Indonesia. 

The Early Warning System (EWS) has been standardized under SNI 8235:2017 regarding the Landslide Early Warning System and ISO 22328-2:2024 Guidelines for implementing a community-based early warning system for landslides.

Equally important, he emphasized, is that both the government and the public follow updates from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), which regularly provides forecasts of heavy rainfall for various regions in Indonesia as a warning. 

Furthermore, BMKG has already shared monthly landslide threat maps with local areas. The challenge is to ensure that these warnings reach all residents at risk of landslides. 

“Local governments must respond to this information quickly, accurately, and within the right time frame. There must be a solid collaboration between the government, the public, private sector, media, and academia for this mitigation effort,” he concluded.

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo: Kompas

Artikel UGM Expert Shares Tips on Identifying Landslide-Prone Areas pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Gerry, as he is commonly called, arrived in Antarctica as part of the Russian Antarctica Expedition (RAE) mission, which took place from February to July 2024. 

At the time, Gerry was pursuing a Master’s program in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

“From the beginning of my studies, I was already offered to join the program, but we had to know what we would be researching,” said Gerry Wednesday (Jan. 22).

He chose to specialize in geomorphology and was an expert in radar interpretation. His participation in the Antarctica expedition made Gerry the first Indonesian and ASEAN national to join the RAE, which has been running for 69 editions. 

He departed with the RAE team aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Tyroshnikov. The ship sailed for three weeks, stopping briefly in Cape Town, South Africa, before continuing to Antarctica.

Gerry and the RAE team were required to use helicopters for mobilization, with the research team returning to the ship daily. He was stationed at Mirny Station, one of the oldest monitoring stations in Antarctica.

Gerry’s research involved reconstructing a new atlas of King George Island for the Russian government. 

He simplified existing variables into geomorphological mapping that could be applied with specific characteristics. In addition, Gerry and his team discovered a 130-million-year-old wooden fossil. 

“This can prove that Antarctica was once covered in greenery, just like other parts of the Earth,” said the Geography and Environmental Science alumnus.

The unpredictable conditions in Antarctica required careful work planning. According to Gerry, even shower schedules had to be regulated, and time was reset daily, meaning the day’s hours could shift forward or backward. 

Gerry added that the direction of the Qibla also changed daily. Strong winds reaching up to 300 km/h further aggravated these conditions, often forcing Gerry and his team to spend nights at the station.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, a lecturer in the Department of Geological Engineering at UGM, also faced challenges during his exploration of Antarctica from November 2016 to March 2017. 

Dr. Nugroho, as we refer to him, often experienced persistent itching and had to take daily medication to prevent allergic reactions. The situation worsened due to the absence of heating in the tents, which forced him to wear three layers of clothing at all times.

“We couldn’t even take a shower,” Dr. Nugroho joked.

Even the feces produced had to be brought back, as the extreme temperatures prevented decomposer bacteria from surviving. The feces were later brought back to the ship and incinerated.

Dr. Nugroho never imagined he would set foot on the southernmost continent on Earth. His journey began in 2010 when he pursued his PhD in Japan. 

Japan, a country that regularly conducts expeditions and invites other Asian researchers to Antarctica through the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), presented this opportunity. 

He applied to the program in 2011, but it was canceled after the March 2011 tsunami struck Japan. 

“I had already applied, but the program was closed, and the funds were redirected for post-tsunami recovery,” said Dr. Nugroho.

He was only contacted again in 2015, after completing his doctoral program, and promptly underwent a selection process involving an interview and health check. He then joined five Japanese researchers and two others from Mongolia and Thailand.

Being a researcher in Antarctica meant preparing for all possible scenarios. For a month, he underwent intensive training on using equipment in the snow, dressing appropriately, surviving in emergencies, setting up tents, cooking, and managing sanitation.

Antarctica’s conditions are vastly different from those found anywhere else in the world. He remembered Antarctica as not feeling like part of Earth due to its pristine whiteness stretching as far as the eye can see.

“I joined an eight-member geology team. At that time, Antarctica was in summer, so the sun shone 24 hours a day, with nighttime temperatures of around -5 degrees and daytime temperatures of -2 degrees,” he recalled.

The silence added to the surreal atmosphere. Dr. Nugroho remembered hearing only his team’s voices and the sounds of melting ice due to climate change, occasionally encountering penguins and Weddell seals.

The entire JARE 58 team comprised 80 members, 35 of whom were researchers. The research was divided into ten topics: meteorology, atmospheric science, terrestrial biology, oceanography, geophysics, geodesy, and geology. The study lasted four months, from Nov. 27, 2016, to Mar. 22, 2017. 

However, according to Dr. Nugroho, effective research could only take place for 30 days due to the extreme weather conditions. Frequent windstorms forced the research team to wait for better conditions.

Dr. Nugroho explained that the geology team’s daily routine involved collecting metamorphic rock samples from various research locations. They explored eight geological survey points: Akebono, Akarui, Tenmodai, Skallevikhalsen, Rundvageshtta, Langdove, West Ogul, and Mt. Riiser Larsen. 

“We sought to uncover metamorphic rocks, the oldest rocks on Earth, dating back 3.8 billion years, found in Antarctica. We aimed to reconstruct and detail previously existing data on Antarctica’s metamorphic rocks, including their composition, age, and the processes that formed them,” he explained.

During the expedition, he encountered only two types of rocks at the research locations: metamorphic and granitoid rocks, or a combination of both, known as migmatite. Rocks with a honeycomb structure, formed by wind erosion in the dry climate, were also commonly found. 

Dr. Nugroho noted that the rocks he found were similar to those in Sri Lanka. According to him, Antarctica and Sri Lanka once comprised the same landmass.

Gerry and Dr. Nugroho’s participation in exploring Antarctica as UGM alumni marks their names in history, as only four Indonesians have ever set foot there. 

This notable achievement contributes to UGM’s vision of becoming a global university. Both expressed hope that their efforts would not end with them. 

“I hope other UGM friends can continue to Antarctica,” Gerry said.

He also hoped that the Indonesian government would take an interest in Antarctica, which is located in the same ocean as Indonesia. He mentioned that everyone needs to know that when Antarctica faces challenges, the whole world, including Indonesia, will be indirectly affected. 

Therefore, Indonesia should establish a dedicated Antarctic research institution to be present and directly study Antarctica.

Echoing Gerry’s sentiments, Dr. Nugroho urged UGM and Indonesia to respond quickly to strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change, which are closely linked to Antarctica’s current existence. 

“Antarctica is like a time machine that stores the Earth’s past and could provide information to address future challenges, so we need to be prepared,” Dr. Nugroho concluded.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos: Gerry & Nugroho

Artikel UGM Alumni Gerry & Nugroho Advance Research Through Antarctica Exploration pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

FACT manifests UGM and SUTD’s commitment to providing clean and renewable energy as part of their community service efforts. 

The activity, which took place from Jan. 6 to 10, focused on modeling uncertainty and designing a PV system for the riverside community. 

This year’s FACT was attended by 43 UGM students from the DTMI, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DTETI), Department of Chemical Engineering (DTK), and 33 students from SUTD.

Dr. Achmad Pratama Rifai from DTMI UGM stated that FACT participants worked together in groups at the DTMI Technical Drawing Laboratory, RW 05 Kalurahan Terban, and the Kalurahan Cokrodiningratan Wastewater Treatment Installation. 

In line with the theme, participants were tasked with designing a model for installing solar panels that could be utilized by the communities in Terban and Cokrodiningratan for daily activities requiring electricity, such as community gatherings, water pumping for clean water, and wastewater treatment.

On the first day, participants received a briefing and background materials about the locations for the solar panel installations. This was important to provide an initial understanding of the sites to be visited. 

“Several solar panels are already installed at different points. Participants will model the potential spots for solar panel installations,” explained Dr. Rifai.

He added that with the foundational knowledge gained, participants were taken on a field trip on the second day to visit the sites in Terban and Cokrodiningratan. 

Supriyanto, the Head of RW 05 Kalurahan Terban, welcomed the field trip at the Nidaul Jannah Mosque Hall in Terban. The residents of Terban warmly welcomed the participants. 

“We are happy to welcome guests from SUTD again. We hope the activities will run smoothly,” said Supriyanto.

On the first day, after being divided into groups, participants proceeded to their respective sites to gather detailed data necessary for their tasks, assisted by liaison officers (LO) from the Industrial Engineering Student Association (HMTI) UGM and local community officials. 

After the field trip, participants had the opportunity to reflect on their visit and engage in discussions to prepare the models for presentation.

The designed models’ presentations were then conducted, with each group given 7 minutes to present and 10 minutes for questions from the judges. 

The judging panel consisted of Dr. Wong Wei Pin (SUTD), Dr. Achmad Pratama Rifai (DTMI UGM), and Dr. Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra (DTMI UGM). 

The judges assessed several aspects of the participants’ presentations, including the formulation of the problem statement, data presentation, determination of hypotheses and analysis boundaries, solution methods, presentation of solutions and their impacts, and the group’s presentation performance.

Based on their evaluation, the judges selected one best team and two best individual participants, one from UGM and one from SUTD. 

After completing the evaluations, the judges named Team 9 the best team and Srikanth Srider (SUTD) and Chika Zenita Sabrina (DTK UGM) the best participants. 

The participants then had the opportunity to attend lectures from UGM and SUTD faculty members. They participated in lectures delivered by Dr. Wong Wei Pin (SUTD), Syahirul Alim Ritonga (UGM), Dr. Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia (SUTD), and Dr. Yun Prihantina Mulyani (UGM).

In his closing remarks, Dr. Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia reminded the participants about the importance of considering human aspects in the community, even in quantitative modeling. 

“Considering the human aspect in a community is also important,” explained Dr. Garcia.

Dr. Wong Wei Pin expressed a similar sentiment, wishing that both SUTD and UGM participants could learn valuable lessons from the FACT program. 

“The participants’ creativity was awe-inspiring. I hope everyone gained valuable insights and continues to innovate in designing human-centered solutions,” he added.

Dr. Adhika Widyaparaga, Secretary of DTMI UGM, explained that this year’s FACT topic is related to the SDGs, such as affordable clean energy. 

“Modelling uncertainty in FACT plays a significant role in realizing this by designing the right energy generation system to avoid potential errors,” he said.

Dr. Widyaparaga hopes that this community service activity, a collaboration between the two universities, will inspire students to continue innovating to produce clean, renewable, and affordable energy.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM and SUTD Students Design Solar Panel Installation Model in Yogyakarta pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The new engineers come from the Faculty of Engineering (727), Faculty of Forestry (70), and Faculty of Animal Science (62). With the addition of 727 new graduates, the Faculty of Engineering has successfully produced 4,281 engineers to date. 

The Faculty of Forestry, with the addition of 70 new graduates, has produced 374 engineers, while the Faculty of Animal Science, with 62 new engineers, has produced 747 engineers. In total, UGM has successfully produced 5,402 engineers.

Professor Selo, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, stated that with the inauguration of engineers by UGM and the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII), the graduates can now truly be considered engineers when having just a Bachelor of Engineering degree felt incomplete. 

“But with today’s inauguration, they are officially engineers because they are also inaugurated with PII,” he said at Grha Sabha Pramana.

Professor Selo did not say much on this occasion. He simply reminded everyone of the meaningful words in the Gadjah Mada hymne and the PII hymne. 

“It says to serve, to uphold culture for the glory of the archipelago. Then there’s the PII hymne, and we are all Indonesian engineers needed by this country,” he explained.

Once again, he congratulated the newly inaugurated engineers. The UGM engineering graduates are the pride of UGM and the pride of Indonesia, bearing a great responsibility to bring this nation toward becoming a developed country. 

“As engineers, we will certainly face many challenges ahead, not only technical challenges related to engineering but also non-technical challenges that can sometimes be even more difficult to overcome,” he added.

Several officials attended the inauguration of the new engineers, including Teguh Haryono, the Secretary General of PII; Santi Sirat, the Executive Director of PII; and the Deans and Vice Deans of the Faculties of Engineering, Forestry, and Animal Science. 

In his speech, Teguh Haryono conveyed that Indonesia’s grand vision for 2045 is to make industry one of the main pillars determining the nation’s competitiveness. 

He said technological advancement, strengthening manufacturing capacity, and developing superior human resources are key to achieving this vision. 

“We, as engineers, have a strategic role in integrating technological innovation with societal needs,” he stated.

In Haryono’s view, engineers are agents of change who can bridge the gap between academic potential and practical applications in the industrial world. 

The triple helix model, consisting of academia, industry, and government, must be continuously strengthened to create an ecosystem that supports industrial transformation. 

“In this context, UGM has demonstrated its outstanding commitment to producing high-quality engineers ready to contribute to various sectors,” he explained.

“According to the data we received, UGM has produced approximately 5,402 engineers, and across Indonesia, there are currently around 28,000 engineers, with UGM contributing the most among the 45 universities that offer the Professional Engineering Education Program (PSBPI).”

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM Largest Contributor to Professional Engineers in Indonesia, Produces 5,402 Engineers to Date pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The grant, offered by the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP), supports his research on implementing integrated biorefineries.  

The e-ASIA JRP is a multilateral international initiative among public funding organizations from East Asia Summit (EAS) member countries. 

EAS includes 10 ASEAN member states and eight additional countries: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, China, India, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. This year, the 13th e-ASIA JRP focuses on alternative energy.  

Dr. Sudibyo and his team proposed a project titled “Improving the Sustainability of Resource Recovery from Wet Biomass Waste: Experimentally-validated GIS-based Integrated Biorefineries for Cleaner Mobility.” 

He explained that the research aims to enhance the economic and technical feasibility of wet biomass waste biorefineries in Southeast Asia. 

The project integrates geospatial modeling, biochemical and thermochemical conversion experiments, process simulations, and econometrics to evaluate and improve the socio-techno-economic viability of the developed integrated biorefineries.  

“This project aligns with Indonesia’s vision for sustainable waste management, realizing a circular bioeconomy, and transitioning to cleaner energy to support sustainable mobility,” Dr. Sudibyo stated in a press release on Thursday (Dec. 19).  

The project is a collaborative effort among researchers from four countries: Hiroshi Onoda (Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Waseda University, Japan), Rovick Tarife (Instructor, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines), and Apanee Luengnaruemitchai (Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand).

Out of 29 proposals reflecting diverse interests in alternative energy, this project successfully secured funding after being evaluated by five funding agencies from five participating countries.  

Through this project, Dr. Sudibyo aims to broaden his scientific contributions to a larger scale. The research incorporates the development of decision-making tools based on experimentally validated geospatial data (GIS). 

These tools optimize the efficiency of biorefineries in converting solid waste and urban residues from the food, agricultural, and tourism sectors into valuable, environmentally friendly products such as biofuels, soil amendments, and liquid fertilizers.  

Reporter: FT UGM/Purwoko

Author: Leony  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM Lecturer Wins eAsia Grant for Research on Integrated Biorefineries pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.