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Tag: Indonesia

Jeanne Francoise, Lecturer of President University, speaker of National Seminar of 7th ERTC

Posted on by President University

Saturday (6/11), Dr. Jeanne Francoise, lecturer of the International Relations Study Program, President University (PresUniv), became one of the speakers at the National Seminar of 7th Emergency Response Training Centre (ERTC) organized by the Student Regiment of the University of Indonesia, in collaboration with Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana and U-INSPIRE, youth and young professionals on innovation science and technology platform for resiliency. In this hybrid seminar, the theme is Peran Pemuda dalam Penanggulangan Bencana, Pertahanan Nasional dan Perlindungan Masyarakat.

At this seminar, Jeanne talked about “The Role of the Young People in the Defense Heritage Protection.” Based on her dissertation research, one Indonesian youth has the burden of protecting 1,250 heritage, including defense heritage, both in the form of tangible and intangible heritage. “This result is obtained by dividing the number of youth in Indonesia, which is around 83.16 million with 66,513 existing heritages,” she explained.

Jeanne continued, some of Indonesia’s intangible defense heritage, namely Pancasila, bahasa Indonesia, local languages, and batik processing. “Those intangible things were the unifying element of “Becoming Indonesia” in our national defense history and becoming our national identity until now,” she said.

According to Jeanne, Indonesia has needed systematic heritage education since childhood. She said, “It takes political will to transform Indonesia as a heritage research country. Not only having museums, monuments or heritage sites but how can we see those objects as part of national history and promote them to the world.” She added that on December 1, 2021, Indonesia would take the G20 Presidency. “This is a good moment for the younger generation to promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage,” She said.

Universitas Sumatera Utara Medical Studies on “One Health” approach to deal with Knowlesi Malaria and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases

Posted on by Editorial Team

The emergence of new diseases calls for new preparations. While viral diseases like avian flu, zika, and Ebola have not reached the pandemic status of Covid-19, records of their epidemic have been numerous. Covid-19 proves that no viral diseases should be underestimated; new strains could emerge almost without warning and the best vigilance is always understanding what to expect and how to respond. As a major university in North Sumatra, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) needs to contribute medical studies to look for ways to improving human well-being and quality of life through disease prevention.

Many emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic: deriving from pathogens present in animals through changes in the ecosystems and land use, intensification of agriculture, urbanization, international travel, and trade. A collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, cutting across boundaries of animal, human, and environmental health, is needed to understand the ecology of each emerging zoonotic diseases to undertake risk assessment and develop response strategies. Recognizing this scope, USU has adopted a “One Health” approach in medical studies by building a multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Currently, USU is undertaking medical research on Knowlesi malaria directed by Dr. Inke Nadia D. Lubis, Ph.D, a medical specialist and researcher from USU and is conducted in USU Medical Research Facility Center.

Knowlesi malaria is a novel emerging disease in Southeast Asia. It is a malaria parasite of the long-tailed (Macaca fasicularis) and pig-tailed (M. nemestrina) macaque monkeys and is transmitted by the Anopheles leucosphyrus group of mosquitoes. First identified as an emergent public health threat in 2004, human malaria from P. knowlesi has now been reported throughout the region in countries where the macaque hosts and mosquito vectors are found. Dr. Inke has confirmed the presence of this malaria in North Sumatera, where it has contributed to 32% of malaria cause in studied areas. She and her team has been developing a rigorous molecular detection tool that targets the schizont-infected cell agglutination variant antigens (SICAvar) as a unique gene to P. knowlesi. This increases its recognition and identification in humans, enabling quicker response and more detailed monitoring.

USU is collaborating with the Indonesia Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and Australia Menzies School of Health Research as part of its “One Health” approach to strengthen the surveillance of zoonotic malaria in Indonesia. North Sumatra is home to two national parks in which some forests had been impacted by changes in land use to plantations and farming, making it one of the places best suited to this study. This international collaboration evaluates the disease burden, agricultural practices, and mosquito vectors associated with knowlesi transmission. The study would help identify the type of intervention measures needed to control knowlesi malaria, prevent the introduction of other zoonotic diseases to the population while ensuring that agricultural development remains sustainable.

Universitas Pembangunan Jaya receives Matching Fund from the Government of Indonesia

Posted on by Universitas Pembangunan Jaya

Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) has won the Matching Fund organized by Kedaireka, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia.

Funds of 230 million IDR were granted through proposals related to the pilot feasibility study of the urban studies master’s program. The small campus in the Bintaro Jaya, Tangerang Selatan, area has demonstrated its track record in excellence in urban studies related to infrastructure, civil engineering, architecture, area management, urban lifestyle, and wellbeing. UPJ turns a decade this September 2021.

The winning of the Matching Fund proposal fronted by Agustinus Agus Setiawan, UPJ Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; and Elisabeth Rukmini, head of UPJ’s Strategic Planning Unit; has provided new opportunities for UPJ to further contribute to the development of urban studies in Indonesia.

The Matching Fund from Kedaireka requires the collaboration of university personnel with the business and industrial world (DUDI) and with international higher education institutions. Specifically carrying out urban studies, with its track record, UPJ has a close collaboration with Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), especially the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and the Senior Professorship of Professor Bernhard Mueller who has engaged since many decades in international urban and regional development studies and related master’s programmes.

TU Dresden is one of the world’s top colleges at 173 in the world. Meanwhile, the industry sector, which collaborated with UPJ in this proposal, is PT Pembangunan Jaya. As the name implies, the Matching Fund demands real collaboration from collaborators. Therefore, through Kedaireka, the government provides funds that are at least equal to the contributions of the collaborators.

In this case, PT Pembangunan Jaya allocates full support to UPJ. At the same time, collaborators from international universities dedicate the time and energy of their experts as companions in the feasibility study of establishing a Master of Urban Studies study program at UPJ.

Prof. Bernhard Mueller is a consultant and main collaborator in this pilot feasibility study of the urban studies master’s program at UPJ.

Prof. Mueller, who has also been an expert at the United Nations on the New Urban Agenda, expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Education and Research and Technology for the Matching Fund initiative: “I am proud of the Indonesian government’s idea to encourage university collaboration with industry and world universities. I am sure that the opportunity given to Universitas Pembangunan Jaya to pioneer a master’s study program in urban studies in collaboration with us will be a real contribution to strengthening urban studies scholars in Indonesia. The programme will complement our joint cooperation activities in the field of urban sustainability which are supported by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation since some years.”

Furthermore, he hopes that the initiative will bear fruit in the establishment of a multidisciplinary Masters in Urban Studies with a dynamic curriculum and mentors following efforts to solve urban problems in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trisna Muliadi, as CEO of PT. Pembangunan Jaya would like to thank Kedaireka for granting this Matching Fund. “This collaboration between PT Pembangunan Jaya and UPJ, which the Matching Fund fully supports, is an award for us. We are ready to support UPJ in contributing to the development of human resources for solutions to the needs of experts in the field of urban studies.”

The CEO of PT Pembangunan Jaya is confident that the contributions of the directors of its 17 subsidiaries and field managers will provide real input for the needs of urban studies masters graduates who are ready to fill in their business units positions and other industrial sectors.

The Rector of UPJ and the authors of the pilot feasibility study proposal for the Master of Urban Studies study program expressed their joy after this Matching Fund proposal. The Rector stated, “UPJ is ready to move forward in the field of Urban Studies through a feasibility study for the establishment of a new study program.”

As the author of the proposal, Elisabeth Rukmini, said, “This proposal aims to live up to the strategic plan that UPJ has written to excel in urban studies.”

The track record of collaboration in urban studies has proved UPJ’s focus on urban studies. Furthermore, the networks from Germany’s universities and the Consortium for Urban Studies in Southeast Asia have strengthened UPJ to mainstream urban studies.

Agustinus Agus Setiawan, UPJ’s Vice-Rector for academic affairs, agreed that UPJ had made history with the courage to study multidisciplinary Urban Studies. “Hopefully, our efforts will make a real contribution to the nation and state of Indonesia,” he said.

Phase 1 pre-clinical trial of UNAIR-led Merah Putih Vaccine shows promising result

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia supports the realization of the Merah Putih Vaccine led by Universitas Airlangga, which has undergone phase 1 of the pre-clinical trial.

The tremendous support is shown from a meeting discussing the development of Merah Putih Vaccine particularly undertaken with the platform used by UNAIR.

The meeting was held online and offline at the Balairua Room Management Office Campus C UNAIR, Friday afternoon, May 28, 2021. Several officials attended the meeting, including Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, M.Si., UNAIR Covid-19 Research Coordinator as well as UNAIR Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Community Development; Dida Gardera, ST., M.Sc, Assistant Deputy for Agro, Pharmacy, and Tourism of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs; and Sudirman, Director of PT Biotis Prima Agrisindo.

Several related officials from the Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Health, Drug and Food Monitoring Agency were also present.

In the meeting, the Head of the UNAIR Merah Putih Vaccine research team Prof. Dr. Fedik Abdul Rantam drh, revealed the development of the UNAIR Merah Putih vaccine has entered phase 1 of the preclinical trial and has shown good results.

“Regarding the antibody titer, the trend is very good, PA is also good, and the examination is still ongoing including immunotyping, kidney, haematology, toxicity, and total blood tests. The examination results will be used as the basis for conducting the phase 2 preclinical trial, “said Prof. Fedik.

For this reason, his team is currently preparing a phase 2 preclinical trial.

Previously, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) have conducted vaccine research on several platforms, such as the inactivated virus platform, the viral vector with adenovirus platform, and the peptide platform.

The three platforms are still ongoing and construction of the inactivated virus platform has been completed early to advance to preclinical trials and clinical trials.

“We hope in December it will be complete, however, it may be February or March before it included in the industrial scheme, ” he explained.

Furthermore, Prof. Fedik hoped that this research is in line with the expectations of the government and the Indonesian people, the independent development of vaccines so that the government can deal with the Covid-19 virus independently as well.

“For academics, we are optimistic that we can develop the technology to make our own vaccines. Of course, this is a start, “he said.

Urban Partnership Melting Pot: UPJ and Humboldt Kolleg partner to solve urban problems

Posted on by Universitas Pembangunan Jaya

Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) wants to continue the tradition of excellence in the field of Urban Studies through an activity entitled Urban Partnership Melting Pot. This activity will take place virtually from January 17-22, 2022.

The Urban Partnership Melting Pot is part of UPJ’s collaboration with Humboldt Kolleg, which aims to strengthen regional professional cooperation networks among alumni (Humboldtians). This melting pot will also introduce and increase the interest and enthusiasm of young researchers towards the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) program. This foundation puts forward the vision of collaboration between countries with Germany as a research location.

Humboldt Kolleg activities are initiated by alumni (Humboldtians) or their associations. AvH supported the Humboldtians financially. Humboldt Kolleg has been held in various countries outside of Germany (United States, France, Italy, Poland, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, China, India, and others).

The participants are alumni of the AvH program and young researchers who have made fundamental contributions to the development of science. Thus, Humboldt Kolleg has become an essential instrument in gathering the best young researchers, a generation of potential leaders in science and technology, and other fields in Germany and even around the world.

It is appropriate that UPJ’s activities in collaboration with Humboldtians are called “melting pots,” not only from researchers, speakers, and participants from various countries; the theme of Urban Studies is also a broad theme that spreads from different fields of science. This is in line with UPJ’s efforts to mainstream Urban Studies.

UPJ has a Center for Urban Studies (CUS), which seeks to answer the challenges of urban planning needs and the comprehensive problems of urban residents. The five main fields that become the derivative clusters of Urban Studies at CUS UPJ are Urban Growth, Urban Culture, Urban Development, Urban and the Future, and Urban Society.

In 2017, Humboldt Kolleg at UPJ took the theme “The Rise of ASEAN and Strategic Partnership in Understanding the Complexity and Collective Phenomena in Emergent Societies.” The activity in 2017 was also a collaboration between UPJ and the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education.

City planning, Architecture and infrastructure, Urban Health and Society, Environmental risks in Urban and Regional Development, and Strategic partnership in Urban Research were the five main topics at the meeting.

With this track record of activities, UPJ has again become the facilitator of this meeting related to Urban Studies and has shown its total commitment to developing urban studies in Indonesia.

Through the Urban Partnership Melting Pot, the university invites researchers, writers, and the media to be able to join in contributing thoughts and creative ideas through the focus of the theme: Urban Growth Pattern, transformation, and resilience; Urban Mobility and Internet of Things; and Social, health, education, environment, and economic development.

President University is ready to implement hybrid learning

Posted on by President University

In April 2020, President University (PresUniv) issued Rector’s Regulation Number 6 of 2021 about President University New Normal Offline Learning and Online Learning. Based on Article 1, Paragraph 1, it is stated that lecture activity for the undergraduate and postgraduate programs will be carried out with offline learning new normal and online learning, since May 24, 2021.

During the offline learning new normal, strict health protocol will be applied. Everyone, without exception, must wear a mask in the campus area, at least a medical mask and not buff or scuba, with always physical distancing. Before entering the campus building, it is compulsory to wash hands, measure body temperature, and sterilized in the disinfection chamber.

Then during the teaching and learning process, all students and lecturers are required to use a face shield. The maximum capacity in one class is only 15 students and a lecturer. Classrooms are guaranteed sterile because disinfection will be carried out in all areas in the building regularly. Moreover, PresUniv also provides a doctor who will always standby at Campus Building B if someone needs a checkup.

In addition, lecturers will be a priority for getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Random swab tests will also be conducted for students who take the offline learning. Prof. Dr. Jony Oktavian Haryanto, Rector of PresUniv, said that this offline-online blended lecture scheme is being implemented because PresUniv is optimistic that all can carry out activities properly in the new normal era, while still applying health protocols in a disciplined manner.

“This is also a learning process for us. And, it is not difficult. In the future, we are sure that the new normal will become something normal. It becomes something ordinary. That is the reason we implement the offline and online blended lecture scheme,” he concluded.

Japanese Consulate meets ITS to strengthen cooperation,

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) welcomed a virtual visit from the Consulate General of Japan in Surabaya on Wednesday (7/7). The visit was attended by the newly elected Japanese Consulate General, Mr Takeyama Kenichi and his staff. From ITS, the visit was attended by ITS Rector, Prof. Dr Ir. Mochamad Ashari M.Eng., along with other members of ITS Executive Board and staff.

Through this visit, Mr Takeyama intended to strengthen cooperation with ITS and to develop more projects with ITS and Indonesia. Prof. Ashari, in his remarks, stated that ITS
partnerships with Japan, especially with some of the best universities in Japan, have been going very well for a long time.

Considering the major development of Japanese technology and innovation, Prof. Ashari wished to initiate more collaborations with Japan because it is about time that universities become educational centres and enhance entrepreneurship activities. Regarding the opportunities, ITS Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni, Bambang Pramujati, PhD explained that ITS has 10 productive
research centres and is expected to cooperate further with universities in Japan.


Two parties hoped that this meeting would mark the new chapter of relations between ITS and Japan.

ITS students design an eco-friendly electric car

Posted on by ITS Global Engagement

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) students have designed an eco-friendly electric car called i-Deora. This innovation recently won 2nd place in the Car Design category at 2021 PLN Innovation & Competition in Electricity (ICE) event.

The students behind this innovation are the member of SACH-MOLINA ITS team. Muhammad Haekal Shafi, Ian Reyhan Junior, Fahreza Aji Taruna, Fikriyubi Fertomo, Rhema Agi Magiza, Muhammad Rumi Latif, Fahri Humaidi, Tengku Rafly Rizqulloh, Riqy Rizqyandra, and Athaariq Ardhiansyah are part of this team.

The leader of the team, Muhammad Haekal Shafi, explained that the development of i-Deora has prioritized not only the engine system but also the exterior and interior design itself, so that the car can become an everyday urban vehicle. Moreover, i-Deora has been designed using V-shape diagram rules.

The first stage was reviewing the existing literature, market needs, and potential ideas. After the first stage, the team continued with planning research on design, models, and engine specifications. Furthermore, i-Deora is expected to be produced for commercial purposes.

President University and University of Indonesia discuss joint activities

Posted on by President University

To sustain the collaboration that has existed since 2019, President University (PresUniv) and University of Indonesia (UI) again held a group discussion. This time the discussion took place online via the Zoom platform on Monday (7/6). This discussion was held to discuss the activities between PresUniv and UI that will be carried out soon.

This discussion resulted in various activities agreed upon by both universities, including are joint webinars, joint research, student or lecturer exchange, and inter-campus visit. The event details, such as the implementation date and the series of activities, will be discussed further to adjust to the current conditions.

In this discussion,the Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Assets, Prof. Dr. Ir. nDedi Priadi, DEA, and Head of Sub-Directorate for Academic and Government Cooperation, Eko Sakapurnama, represented UI. Meanwhile, from PresUniv, the Vice-Rector I for Academic and Student Affairs, Handa S. Abidin, and Vice-Rector II for Resources, Dr. Dra. Fennieka Kristianto, were present.

In addition, there were also deans, heads of study programs, and representatives from various bureaus in PresUniv. Among them, Academic Bureau, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Partnership Bureau, Head of the Law Study Program, Internship and Career Center (ICC) Bureau, to Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

UNAIR Pharmacy lecturer develops injection-based bone substitute

Posted on by Universitas Airlangga News

Bhagalen, an injectable bone substitute is developed by Dr Aniek Setiya Budiatin, Apt., M.Si., lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangg UNAIR. Bhagalen is an innovation in the form of injectable bone fillers for bone fractures and osteoporosis that oral drugs cannot handle.

This innovative product has received funding from the Ministry of Research and Technology / National Agency for Research and Innovation, Indonesia.

Aniek revealed that the product is in the form of a powder and a solvent. This powder is mixed and then injected into the cavities, both fractures and osteoporotic bones.

Bhagalen consists of bovine hydroxyapatite, gelatin, and alendronate. Bovin hydroxyapatite is a powder obtained from cow bones. The cow bones are produced in-house in UNAIR’s Teaching Industry to reduce imports of materials.

Aniek explained that the composition of Bhagalen consists of 80 percent hydroxyapatite which is part of the components of bone so that it is easily recognized by the bones and can fuse well.

Aniek also explained that bone has two components besides cells and water, organic and inorganic. The organic component used in Bhagalen is gelatin, and the inorganic is hydroxyapatite.

Interestingly, with this Bhagalen, all the damage to the bones can be treated. Bones that are damaged due to fractures or holes continued Aniek; to recover quickly, injections can be made to form new bones to prevent deformities.

“It should be faster with the injection due to the wider surface shape so that it will take about a month,” she explained.

She also said that this injection model is still rare in Indonesia because of its high price. For this reason, Aniek hoped that Bhagalen would be used widely at a more affordable price.

Aniek hoped that her innovation could be widely recognized and used so people in need can be helped and avoid bone defects.