Vice-Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of ITS, Prof Ir Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD, while delivering his remarks at the ITS Research Center Auditorium

ITS Campus, ITS News — Realizing the abundant potential of solar energy, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) reaffirms its commitment to research on new and renewable energy (EBT) from solar sources. This was realized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Solar Energy Association (AESI) at the ITS Research Center Auditorium on Wednesday (10/9).

The Head of the AESI Supervisory Board, Ir Wiluyo Kusdwiharto ST MBA IPU ASEAN Eng, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration. According to him, ITS has broad opportunities for solar energy research, in line with Indonesia’s target of developing 117.1 gigawatts of photovoltaic power plants. “In this matter, ITS can play a role in technology development so that this nation does not continue to rely on imports,” explained the alumnus of ITS Mechanical Engineering

With a projected investment reaching Rp 2,000 trillion, Wiluyo encourages ITS to take a central role. He hopes that this Hero Campus can begin research to create technology that is applicable to national industries, so that Indonesia does not only become a consumer of foreign products. “It’s time for Indonesian engineers to rise and create technology for the progress of the nation,” he said full of hope.

(from left) Head of the AESI Supervisory Board, Ir Wiluyo Kusdwiharto ST MBA IPU ASEAN Eng, General Chair of AESI, Mada Ayu Habsari, Vice-Rector IV of ITS, Prof Ir Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD, and Director of Cooperation and Business Management of ITS, Tri Joko Wahyu Adi ST MT PhD, after the MoU signing

This collaboration was warmly welcomed by the Vice-Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs of ITS, Prof Ir Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD. The professor, who is familiarly called Hatta, emphasized that ITS is a campus committed to EBT research, as evidenced by the existence of the Renewable Energy Independence Demonstrator (REIDI). “This facility is a living laboratory for students to prepare to achieve the vision of national energy independence,” he said.

Furthermore, Hatta said that the collaboration with AESI is not just the signing of a document, but a concrete step for ITS to make a real contribution to the community. According to him, the involvement of higher education in solar energy research and development is very important. “Especially since Indonesia has great potential that has not been fully utilized,” said the Professor of Engineering Physics at ITS.

General Chair of AESI, Mada Ayu Habsari, while delivering the guest lecture material titled “Challenges, Strategies, and Success in the World of Energy” at the ITS Research Center Auditorium

Not only the MoU signing, but this event also presented a guest lecture with the General Chair of AESI, Mada Ayu Habsari, titled “Challenges, Strategies, and Success in the World of Energy.” Through this presentation, students are expected to gain insights from industry leaders, so that they can be motivated to become the next generation that answers the challenges of clean energy in Indonesia.

Officials from ITS and AESI with the audience of a public lecture titled “Challenges, Strategies, and Success in the World of Energy” held concurrently with the MoU signing at the ITS Research Center Auditorium

Through this agenda, ITS reaffirms its role in supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 4 on quality education, point 7 on affordable and clean energy, and point 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The collaboration between ITS and AESI also contributes to SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals. (ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Naurah Fitri