The ITS Barunastra team won the General Champion title in the annual world-class International Roboboat Competition (IRC) 2022 in Florida, the United States upon arrival at Soekarno Hatta International Airport

ITS Campus, ITS News – After making Indonesia proud in Uncle Sam’s country in the International Roboboat Competition (IRC) 2022, the Barunastra Team of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) finally arrived back in the country, Wednesday (29/6) afternoon. Thanks to this brilliant achievement, the arrival of the ITS pride ship robot team received appreciation by being welcomed directly by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) through the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas).

(Plt.) Head of Puspresnas Asep Sukmayadi was present to lead the welcoming team of this unmanned robot ship champion at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng, Tangerang. Asep expressed his pride in the ITS Barunastra Team because it was still able to show creativity and escalate its achievements in a pandemic situation like this. “Of course, it is the fruit of hard work every day staying on campus to produce works like this,” he saluted.

Plt. Head of Puspresnas Asep Sukmayadi (left) expressed his appreciation for the gift of flowers to the ITS Barunastra Team who had just arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

This achievement, according to Asep, is in line with Indonesia’s title as one of the largest maritime countries in the world which requires technology and creativity in the shipping sector. Therefore, Asep said that the work of the Barunastra team was a masterpiece at its level. “So that in the future it can be used as a reference for further innovation and continue to consistently work in the field,” said the bespectacled man.

Regarding the competence of students who beat world-renowned universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – USA, according to Asep, it came from the creative and competitive culture he observed at ITS. This is evidenced by the consistency of ITS in winning various national and international robotics competitions, one of which is the Indonesian Robot Contest (KRI) for three to four years. “To maintain this, don’t be afraid to ask questions and find out and keep trying,” he added motivatingly.

ITS Barunastra Team with ITS Director of Student Affairs Dr. Imam Abadi ST MT (center) shortly after arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

Asep also advised other ITS students to continue to study creatively because the repertoire of technology and work opportunities is very wide. Puspresnas itself has prepared talent management to provide opportunities for students to prove their potential and actualize their dreams. “Of course, it is a collaboration between many parties to be able to ensure the hope of a better future for Indonesia with the talents of students like the Barunastra team,” he concluded.

Also welcomed directly at the airport, ITS Director of Student Affairs Dr. Imam Abadi ST MT who also expressed his pride. Imam said that appreciation and encouragement from various sides would be given to them. Among them are academic conversions for research teams who have succeeded and are trying hard, the Student Extracurricular Activity Unit (SKEM), and material in the form of fresh money because ITS itself already has a legal umbrella that covers it. “In the future, the flexibility to develop research and more funding will be given if possible,” he concluded.

Tim Barunastra ITS bersama Direktur Kemahasiswaan ITS Dr Imam Abadi ST MT (tengah) sesaat setelah tiba di Bandara Internasional Soekarno- Hatta

After receiving a welcome at the airport, tomorrow Thursday (30/6), the ITS Barunastra Team is also scheduled to visit the Kemendikbudristek office to fulfill the invitation to meet with Mendikbudristek Nadiem Anwar Makarim. Furthermore, the team will also be hosted by the ITS Alumni Family Association (IKA) in Jakarta. (ITS PR)

Reporter: Astri Nawwar Kusumaningtyas