ITS Campus, ITS News — A lively atmosphere colored the inauguration ceremony for new students (maba) at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) for the odd semester of 2026/2027. A total of 7,269 new students at the Bachelor’s (S1) and Applied Bachelor’s (D4) levels officially became part of the ITS Family, which took place at the ITS Alumni Park on Tuesday (August 11) morning.
Interestingly, Surabaya Mayor Dr. Eri Cahyadi, ST, MT, was also present to welcome thousands of ITS new students from across the country as they began their learning journey in the City of Heroes. He reminded them that wearing the ITS alma mater carries significant consequences in the form of a moral responsibility to uphold the institution’s reputation. “As part of ITS, you are responsible for proving yourselves as the nation’s best talents with superior character,” emphasized the figure, also known as Cak Eri.
Eri emphasized the values of togetherness, unity, and mutual cooperation as the primary foundations of national life based on Pancasila. As part of the ITS extended family, students are encouraged to consistently respect, collaborate, honor, and foster a sense of shared destiny.
The ITS Civil Engineering Diploma 3 alumnus has high hopes that future ITS freshmen will carry on the strategic leadership legacy that has brought Indonesia’s progress. The tradition of excellence and success of ITS’ predecessors must be carried forward by the younger generation through their own outstanding achievements.
In line with this, ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MScEng, PhD, emphasized that students carry both privilege and significant responsibilities during their education. Students are required to continuously cultivate curiosity, dare to ask questions, dare to try, and push the boundaries of knowledge.
Bambang explained that higher education is a journey to develop the best version of themselves for students. It is based on four main pillars of strength, starting with a strong scientific foundation and the ability to apply solutions to real-world problems. “Furthermore, students must be able to develop a sense of concern for the environment and others, and grow into individuals with integrity,” emphasized the Professor of the ITS Department of Mechanical Engineering .
ITS students were encouraged to cultivate a new mentality that needed to be instilled. The Rector reminded thousands of ITS new students to shift their mindset from fear and doubt to the spirit of true learners. “This way, you will always be ready to face the increasingly demanding challenges of the future world of work and industry,” Bambang reminded them.
He stated that education is seen as the most powerful weapon for changing the world for the better. Its benefits can be felt when knowledge is balanced with courage, character, integrity, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Director of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education at ITS, Prof. Dr. Eng. Chastine Fatichah, S.Kom., M.Kom., reported that of the 7,269 ITS students inaugurated, 5,934 are undergraduates (S1), 1,011 are diploma students (D4), and 324 are students in the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
Chastine explained that this number is a combination of three available pathways: the National Achievement-Based Selection (SNBP), the National Test-Based Selection (SNBT), and the ITS Independent Selection (SMITS). “This year’s ITS freshmen are spread across 37 provinces and six countries, including Kuwait, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, Solomon Islands, Zimbabwe, and Timor Leste,” explained the Professor of the ITS Informatics Engineering Department .
This inauguration procession also marks the inauguration of GERIGI X UKM EXPO ITS 2026 which will last for three days, until August 14, 2026. This activity includes various interesting agendas, starting from the Integralistic Parade and performances from dozens of Student Activity Units (UKM) at ITS.
Through this inauguration ceremony, ITS demonstrated its commitment to improving the quality and equity of access to education, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in point 4 on Quality Education and point 10 on Reducing Inequality. This commitment is reflected in the acceptance of 210 new students as recipients of the 2026 Smart Indonesia Card-College (KIP-K) scholarship. (ITS Public Relations)
Reporter: Syifa Rahmadina