ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD (left) and Head of the Indonesian Transportation BPSDM Dr. Djarot Tri Wardhono ST MT show the MoA document that has been signed

Encouraging digitalization in the Indonesian maritime safety sector, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) provided a grant of innovative software called iStow Campus Edition (CE) to the Maritime Education Institution and the Indonesian Shipping Court, Saturday (23/8). The grant program, held at the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic campus, is a tangible manifestation of the ITS Impact initiative in presenting research and innovation that is beneficial for education and industry.

The Head of the Indonesian Transportation Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) Dr. Djarot Tri Wardhono ST MT emphasized that the shipping and maritime sector plays an important role in national and international logistics distribution. For this reason, safety in a shipping operation is a crucial matter in this sector. “Therefore, in addition to the quality of the technology, it is also necessary to improve the quality of human resources with the help of technology like this,” he added.

Head of the Indonesian Transportation BPSDM, Dr. Djarot Tri Wardhono ST MT, also gives remarks at the iStow Grant event from ITS at the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic Auditorium

Djarot stated that iStow CE is expected to help cadets understand the importance of safety in shipping operations. With this device, he hopes the learning process can be more applicative and in accordance with international standards. “Hopefully this technology can be utilized by cadets to prioritize safety in future shipping” he explained.

Furthermore, the Dean of the Faculty of Marine Technology (MARTECH) ITS and also the initiator of iStow Dr. Ing. Ir. Setyo Nugroho revealed that iStow is a ship loading software developed by ITS since 2006 and has now reached Technology Readiness Level (TKT) 9. This proves that iStow has not only been tested in the industry since 2019, but is also ready to be used as a learning tool in maritime education institutions.

Dean of the Faculty of Marine Technology (MARTECH) ITS and also the initiator of iStow, Dr. Ing. Ir. Setyo Nugroho, gives an explanation during the iStow Grant event held at the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic Auditorium

Furthermore, the lecturer, who is called Yoyok, added that the device is also equipped with a visual and audio system that provides a warning if a violation of safety standards occurs. That way, cadets are also trained to understand the principles of ship loading with accurate stability calculations based on the International Maritime Organization (IMO). “Thus, cadets are better prepared to face real conditions in the world of shipping,” he stressed optimistically.

Meanwhile, ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD explained that this grant activity is a form of ITS’s contribution to supporting the world of maritime education. According to him, the research produced by universities must have an impact that can be directly felt by the community and educational institutions. “It has become our obligation to develop the nation through research and innovation,” he said.

ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD gives remarks during the iStow Grant event held at the Surabaya Shipping Polytechnic Auditorium

This professor from the ITS Mechanical Engineering Department hopes that the grant can help educational institutions in preparing superior human resources (HR) at a global level. As well as increasing the efficiency of learning activities and security in accordance with international standards. “We hope this grant can equip cadets with technology that is in line with the needs of the maritime industry,” hoped Bambang.

ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD (sixth from left) with the leaders from the Maritime Education Institution and the Indonesian Shipping Court after the MoA signing

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was also signed by ITS with BPSDM, the Shipping Court, and representatives of polytechnics and maritime colleges in Indonesia. ITS’s contribution through this grant also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on point 4 related to quality education and point 9 related to innovation, industry, and infrastructure, as well as point 17 related to partnerships to achieve goals. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Khaila Bening Amanda Putri