Bakrie University Lecturer Won IEEE Grant

Exciting news has arrived from Bakrie University. Dr. Iwan Adhicandra, SMIEEE, lecturer and Head of the Informatics Study Program, has won a prestigious USD 25,000 (equivalent to approximately IDR 400 million) grant from the IEEE Computer Society Emerging Technologies Fund for a project titled "Empowering Rural Communities in Indonesia through AI-Driven Agricultural Solutions."

The official announcement was made by Brian Kirk, Senior Program Manager of the IEEE Computer Society, on behalf of Jyotika Athavale (Past President of the IEEE Computer Society & Chair of the Emerging Technologies Grant Selection Committee). In its letter, the IEEE stated that Dr. Iwan's proposal was considered well-thought-out and ambitious, aligning with the IEEE Computer Society's goal of encouraging the use of cutting-edge technology for the benefit of society.

This year, the IEEE Computer Society Emerging Technologies Fund competition attracted over 360 submissions from around the world, and only 11 proposals were selected as winners. Dr. Iwan's proposal, "Empowering Rural Communities in Indonesia through AI-Driven Agricultural Solutions," was one of the few to achieve international recognition.

Rural Farmer Empowerment Project

This project aims to increase agricultural productivity in rural Indonesia through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Through a series of workshops and hands-on training, farmers will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI technology into their farming processes.

With the support of this grant, the project is planned to last six months and includes:

Development of training materials and procurement of AI equipment (months 1–2)

Implementation of training in target communities (months 3–5)

Impact evaluation and feedback collection (month 6)

Measurable targets of this project include: training 100 farmers, increasing crop yields by 20% in a single planting season, and establishing a sustainable model for technology integration in the agricultural sector.