ITS Campus — Students of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) continue to demonstrate their prowess in the global research ecosystem. Through the ITS Overseas Mobility Scholarship (IOMS) scheme funded by the EQUITY program and the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Diva Tristia, a student from the ITS Chemistry Department, completed an academic and research exchange program at INSA Lyon, one of the most prestigious engineering institutions in France.
During her time at INSA Lyon, Diva did not simply sit in the classroom. She plunged directly into the laboratory to dissect a research project focused on advanced material characterization and analysis. Specifically, she investigated how the microstructure of a material—the arrangement of particles on a microscopic scale—directly affects its mechanical properties, such as its strength, elasticity, and durability.
To unravel this complexity, Diva was equipped with cutting-edge computational methods. She intensively studied structural mechanics modeling and operated modern, industry-standard software utilized by European researchers. Mastering this computational technology allowed her to simulate and predict material behavior under various extreme physical conditions, an essential skill for pioneering new material innovations in the industrial sector.
In addition to hands-on practice, Diva also mastered the use of modern software to predict the mechanical properties of materials, strengthening her computational research capacity. A Catalyst for the World Class University (WCU) Vision Diva’s stride into the INSA Lyon laboratories delivers a strategic impact far greater than mere personal achievement; it is a direct maneuver to accelerate the ITS World Class University (WCU) vision.
The presence of ITS delegates in leading European institutions automatically boosts the outbound student mobility indicator and strengthens ITS’s academic reputation in the eyes of global rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings. Furthermore, Diva acts as an agent of knowledge transfer. The cutting-edge research methodologies and European laboratory standards she learned will be directly adapted into the research ecosystem at the ITS Chemistry Department, elevating the quality of facilities and research standards on campus.
The regular interactions and discussions Diva built with professors and material experts at INSA Lyon also serve as a crucial foundation for institutional networking. This relationship opens a golden opportunity for the formation of future joint research and international joint publications between ITS and INSA Lyon—a primary pillar supporting WCU internationalization indicators.
“This experience provided me with extensive knowledge of global innovation and modern research tools. Hopefully, the knowledge and international networks built can tangibly support the development of the campus’s research capacity and drive the internationalization of ITS to continue competing at the World Class University level,” Diva asserted.
Backed by the strong commitment of LPDP and EQUITY, the initiative of sending outstanding students like Diva proves to be a crucial investment. Not only does it support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 4 (Quality Education), but this step ensures ITS continues to contribute to the global science and technology innovation map.