Prof. Gamantyo Hendrantoro Strengthens Southeast Asian Collaboration Network Through ASEA-UNINET

Image: Prof. Gamantyo Hendrantoro (center) with delegates from Indonesian universities and ASEA-UNINET management at a plenary session in Brescia, Italy.

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – The role of universities in addressing global challenges is no longer limited to the local sphere. Through cross-border collaboration, innovation and research become bridges to sustainable progress. One of the figures playing a key role in expanding this network is Prof. Ir. Gamantyo Hendrantoro, M.Eng., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). He currently serves as Vice President and Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia at ASEA-UNINET, having previously been appointed as ITS’s representative to attend the ASEA-UNINET plenary session in Brescia, Italy, from September 8–12, 2025.

ASEA-UNINET (ASEAN-European Academic University Network) is an international consortium that brings together universities from Southeast Asia and Europe for academic and research collaboration. In his role, Prof. Gamantyo is tasked with coordinating collaboration in the Southeast Asia region and strengthening partnerships between universities in the region and various institutions in Europe.

“My primary role is to bridge universities in Southeast Asia to enable broader collaboration, both across countries in the region and with partners in Europe,” explained Prof. Gamantyo. He emphasized that ASEA-UNINET’s focus is not only on academic exchange, but also on building sustainable and mutually beneficial research networks.

Several priority development areas under his coordination include renewable energy, radar and telecommunications technology, and arts and culture. Through the Renewable Energy Development and Innovation (REDI) Center at ITS, collaboration in the field of sustainable energy continues to expand. Furthermore, a joint research program with TU Graz, Austria, on the development of multibeam radar, and collaboration with the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) demonstrate the breadth of disciplines bridged by ASEA-UNINET.

However, Prof. Gamantyo acknowledged that building cross-border collaboration is not easy. Differences in educational systems, research priorities, and work cultures present challenges. “ASEA-UNINET is not a funding institution, but rather a collaborative platform. Its success depends heavily on communication, active participation, and shared research interests among its members,” he said.

Image: Indonesian university delegates and ASEA-UNINET management working together to strengthen cross-border collaboration.

Prof. Gamantyo’s participation Prof. Gamantyo’s involvement in ASEA-UNINET not only affirmed ITS’s position in the international network but also opened up various opportunities for Indonesian universities, particularly in the fields of science and art. He explained that until now, the ASEA-UNINET arts program had only been widely utilized by art universities in Vietnam and Thailand, while almost none from Indonesia had participated until 2016. That year, Prof. Gamantyo proposed that the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta join ASEA-UNINET, and the proposal was accepted. “One reason is that ASEA-UNINET covers fields beyond science, but also the arts,” he said.

On the same occasion, Prof. Gamantyo also highlighted Austria’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of the ASEA-UNINET program. One form of support is offering doctoral scholarships in Austria, open to anyone, not limited to alumni or lecturers from ASEA-UNINET member universities. “Previously, quite a lot of applicants from ITS applied, but in recent years, there have been almost none,” he said. He emphasized that this opportunity is invaluable and should be utilized by the ITS academic community, especially lecturers who wish to continue their studies or expand their international research networks.

Through this strategic role, ITS benefits significantly, from expanded access to international research networks to increased mobility opportunities for lecturers and students. Prof. Gamantyo’s contribution also strengthens ITS’s position on the global collaboration map, in line with its vision of becoming a world-class university oriented toward innovation and sustainability. With the spirit of collaboration he continually promotes, Prof. Gamantyo demonstrates that international networking is not merely a matter of paperwork, but a concrete step toward a more inclusive and sustainable future for education and research.