ITS Campus, ITS News — East Java Deputy Governor Dr. Emil Elestianto Dardak, BBus, MSc, urged new students at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) to become advocates for Indonesia’s technological sovereignty. He delivered the invitation as a speaker at the ITS Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) event at the ITS Pertamina Sports Hall on Tuesday (August 4). 

Addressing thousands of new students at the ITS innovation campus, Emil emphasized that technological mastery is a key determinant of a nation’s competitiveness. He believes Indonesia has great potential to become a leading nation if supported by human resources who are willing to innovate and continue to develop. “I am confident that Indonesia’s young generation has the full potential to transform the nation’s destiny into a technologically advanced and competitive nation,” Emil stated optimistically. 

As a comparison, Emil encouraged students to consider Singapore’s success in elevating the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to world-class status. He argued that this transformation can be achieved through strong investment in education and strong confidence.

Innovations such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, and the semiconductor industry have transformed the global competitive landscape in a short time. Mastery of existing technologies in this era is seen as a tangible manifestation of national sovereignty, ensuring Indonesia’s true independence.

The former Regent of Trenggalek from 2016 to 2019 cited the development of 3D printing technology, which is now capable of producing various precision components, as an example. Emil praised ITS, as a technology campus, for utilizing its scientific expertise to replicate medical equipment, which has implications during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Emil highlighted East Java’s strategic position as the heart of the national manufacturing industry, contributing nearly a quarter of Indonesia’s total manufacturing output. This puts ITS in the perfect environment to cultivate tech talent while strengthening collaboration with the industrial sector. “Through collaboration between the provincial government and universities, we hope to produce technology warriors ready to meet the challenges of the times,” Emil explained inspiringly.

Regarding the widespread use of AI in various aspects of society today, particularly education, Emil reminded students to use artificial intelligence wisely. 

He explained that the use of AI must be balanced with critical thinking skills, reading skills, and understanding basic concepts to foster creativity. “AI must be a supporting tool, not a substitute for human thinking. Its use must not diminish our cognitive abilities,” the Deputy Governor of East Java warned. 

On that occasion, Emil encouraged students to actively follow scientific developments through scientific journals, technology publications, and developer communities. He believed that mastering basic concepts must go hand in hand with the ability to keep up with the latest, rapidly evolving innovations. 

Concluding his presentation, Emil encouraged students to utilize their studies as a preparation for building a technologically sovereign Indonesia. He was optimistic that collaboration between the government, universities, industry, and the younger generation would produce innovations that would impact society. “It is important to cultivate intellectual discipline through a structured learning process, in-depth reading, and sharpening one’s thinking for the advancement of the nation’s future,” Emil advised the thousands of new ITS students.

The spirit of optimism fostered by Emil is part of the Campus of Heroes’ efforts to realize the ideals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG point 4, which aims to create quality education for the nation.