Japan, ITS News — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening its global reputation with a strategic visit to Ehime University, Japan, on Tuesday (23/6). The ITS delegation, led by the Rector of ITS, Prof Dr (HC) Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD, conducted a series of meetings with the leadership of Ehime University to deepen the established collaboration and formulate strategic measures to enhance ITS’s global reputation on the international stage.

This visit serves as an important moment for both universities to strengthen the strategic partnership that has been firmly established through various joint research programs, postgraduate education, academic exchanges, and various international consortium activities. As stipulated in the strategic partnership document between the two institutions, ITS and Ehime University share a common vision to promote world-class research, innovation, and sustainable development that provides tangible solutions for society.

Bambang stated that this visit is part of ITS’s ongoing efforts to expand its global impact and reinforce its position as a world-class research university. “Ehime University has been a strategic partner for ITS in various fields, particularly in research on artificial intelligence (AI)-based agricultural technology and food security. We are committed to continuing to deepen this collaboration in order to generate breakthroughs that will benefit not only both institutions but also the wider community,” said Bambang.

The ITS delegation for this visit also involved a number of key officials, namely Prof Dr Ir Sri Gunani Partiwi MT, as Head of ITS Quality Assurance and concurrently Head of the ITS World Class University Program; Dr Ir Arief Abdurrakhman ST MT as Head of the ITS Alumni Relations Unit; and Dr Ir Hertiari Idajati ST MSc, as Head of the ITS Career Center. The presence of the entire leadership team demonstrates ITS’s seriousness in building a holistic partnership that encompasses not only research and education aspects but also student career development and the strengthening of alumni networks at the global level.

One of the primary focuses of the ITS and Ehime University collaboration is the Agricultural Industry Technology Research Consortium based on Smart Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), which was launched in April 2025. This consortium was established through strategic cooperation between ITS and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Universitas Udayana, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, and Ehime University from Japan.

Through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this collaboration will take place over a period of five years and will be continuously renewed through periodic evaluations to ensure effectiveness and tangible impact from the research conducted. This consortium focuses on the development of AI and Internet of Things (IoT)-based precision agriculture, exploration of biomass waste utilization as a renewable energy source, strengthening of science-based agricultural insurance systems, as well as the establishment of postgraduate education programs and student exchanges between countries.

This is in line with the joint research roadmap 2025–2030, which aims to transform research outcomes into tangible implementation that benefits society while strengthening the global recognition of both institutions. Furthermore, both universities are also committed to developing excellent human resources through academic mobility programs, cross-cultural experiences, and advanced research training.

These programs are designed to produce future global leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges of the digital and post-pandemic era. This visit also serves as a follow-up to a series of ITS agendas in Japan, including the Alumni & Industrial Gathering Japan 2026 held in the Tokyo and Hiroshima regions.

The event aims to strengthen the network of ITS alumni in Japan as well as explore collaboration opportunities with industrial and academic partners in the Land of the Rising Sun. Through this strategic visit, ITS reaffirms its position as a higher education institution that not only excels at the national level but is also increasingly recognized on the international stage. The synergy that continues to be strengthened between ITS and Ehime University is expected to drive the emergence of impactful innovations that address global challenges, while simultaneously solidifying ITS’s reputation as a world-class research university. (*)

HUMAS ITS