Prof Dr. Norbert Gruenwald from Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Germany when delivering a speech with the theme of Preparing for the Future of Education

The outermost islands have a very important role in determining the territorial borders of Indonesia as archipelago that has 17,504 Islands. It is one of the reasons for the annual program of Sustainable Island Development Initiatives (SIDI) initiated by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) to hold an international conference entitled Sustainability of Small Island’s Environment in the ITS Research Center Auditorium, Monday (2/9).

The activity which was held for the first time as part of the SIDI presented some keynote speakers from the government and foreign universities. Among them were the Expert Staff of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism Admiral of Indonesian National Army (Ret.) Prof Dr. Marsetio MM, Head of Research and Human Resources Agency of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) Prof. Ir Sjarief Widjaja Ph.D. FRINA, representative of Wismar University of Applied Sciences Prof. Dr. Norbert Gruenwald, and representative of Technische Universitaet Berlin Prof. Raoul Bunschoten.

Admiral of the Indonesian National Army (Ret.), Prof Dr. Marsetio, as a keynote speaker at 2019 SIDI

In his presentation, Prof. Marsetio emphasized the importance of attention to small islands, particularly in the border areas for the economic and political interests of the Indonesian people themselves. “Because those islands determine the outermost point of Indonesia country,” said the former Navy Chief (KSAL).

Responding to many problems of those remote islands, the Indonesian Government decided to partner with universities in developing the outermost islands, including partner with ITS. In 2012 then, ITS received a mandate from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to adopt two remote islands in Indonesia, namely Maratua Island in Berau and Poteran Island in Sumenep. In carrying out this mandate, SIDI ITS encountered many challenges in the process.

The SIDI secretary, Dr. Ing Setyo Nugroho explained, each island has varying characteristics and potentials, so it needs a different approach in its development. “No matter how good the objectives of the government program, when it collides with community activities, it will fail as well,” he said when met at the conference.

After seven years of researching and assisting the development of these small islands, the SIDI team realized that the community had a very large share in the success of the program. Besides the two islands, since 2017 the SIDI ITS Team is also entrusted with adopting one more island, namely Natuna Island to develop their natural resources and community.

Despite facing many challenges, SIDI remains optimistic and continues to update its programs so that it can become more optimal. Until now, SIDI has conducted various research and programs such as public transportation development, hydroponics, waste treatment designs, hotels, and airport buildings on the islands.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive of SIDI, Prof Ir Eko Budi Djatmiko MSc Ph.D. said that the series of events aimed to absorb the latest innovative ideas to optimize and develop the islands sector as well as marine tourism and maritime In Indonesia.

Prof Ir Eko Budi Djatmiko as Chief Executive of 2019 SIDI when presented the 2019 SIDI activities report

Therefore, with the various potentials available, it is the time for the islands in Indonesia to be developed equally. “Starting from the maritime tourism sector, its maritime technology, energy, environment, and others must develop evenly in Indonesia,” said Former Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Technology (FTK) and former ITS Vice-Rector.

The ITS Rector, Prof. Mochamad Ashari, when giving a speech at the 2019 SIDI International Conference

While in his speech, ITS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng said, the activities held by ITS were there to remind that Indonesia is a maritime country consisted of not only large and inhabited islands but also small islands.

According to ITS Electrical Engineering professor, Indonesia with 17,504 Islands which have tens of thousands of different types of marine animals, so far only utilized their potential on large islands. “If examined deeper, the small and uninhabited islands also have the same potential as that large Island if maximized,” he said.

The series of 2019 SIDI events included a guest lecture on Asian Start-up Transition from Industry 4.0 to Community 5.0, vlog competitions, and international conferences as the highlight of the event. The seminar also collaborated with the government, the maritime industry, as well as Indonesian universities and foreign universities. In addition to the paper presentation, this event also held industrial products exhibition related to maritime.

With a total of 93 papers that majority coming from Indonesia and German alumni, a series of events held by SIDI closed with a Dinner Cruise on a ship owned by Politeknik Pelayaran Surabaya to tour as well as scientific discussions. (mia/gayatri/ITS Public Relation)

Prof. Raoul Bunschoten from Technische Universitaet Berlin Germany when presenting the Archipelago Urbanism material