Rector of itb: The Importance of Education and Collaboration in Smart Living

By Iko Sutrisko Prakasa Lay - Mahasiswa Matematika, 2021

Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.

Rector of Âé¶¹Ö±²¥, Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D. (Documented by M. Naufal Hafizh, Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Public Relations)

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – The School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPD) of Institut Teknologi Bandung (Âé¶¹Ö±²¥) held a National Seminar themed "Realizing Smart Living for Future Cities of Indonesia" in the East and West Hall, Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Ganesha Campus, on October 10, 2024. The event was attended by various parties, including urban planning and infrastructure experts, government officials, and academics from Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ itself.

In her remarks, the Rector of Âé¶¹Ö±²¥, Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D., highlighted the importance of education and collaboration in facing the complexities of urbanization. According to the World Bank, by 2045, 70% of the global population would have lived in cities, Indonesia included. According to the Rector, this situation would become a challenge that must be overcome together, such as the problem of urban infrastructure.

Prof. Reini spotlighted the role of urban planning in dealing with this problem. She emphasized that having a grand vision for the future is key to creating monumental change.

"How can we have big goals if we do not have a dream to start with? Of course this dream is not just a dream; together with our colleagues in urban planning and other fields, we will make this dream a reality," she asserted.

Rector of Âé¶¹Ö±²¥, Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D. (Documented by M. Naufal Hafizh, Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ Public Relations)

Moreover, the Rector underlined the role of human resources in the development of inclusive and sustainable cities. The main focus of urban development must always be the people.

"In essence, there exist three main elements in building cities: people, people, and people. So it is always the people. And we at Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ deal with them," Prof. Reini stated.

As a multicampus educational institution, Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ is expected to be active in the development of cities where Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ campuses are located. Prof. Reini revealed the expectation for the Jatinangor and Cirebon Campuses, with each hopefully developing into a well-planned metropolitan area. Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ is also expected to be involved in strategic studies related to the development of these areas, such as through the construction of a metropolitan research center in Cirebon.

She urged all seminar participants, particularly students, to be the successors of the smart living concept in the future, able to provide long-term solutions to urban challenges. According to the Rector, issues in spatial planning and urbanization are complex and require deep thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.

"Spatial planning is a complex issue. It necessitates endurance, long-term thinking, and broad collaboration. Âé¶¹Ö±²¥ has to be the leader in this great endeavor," she proclaimed.

This seminar was not only a space for discussion and exchange of ideas but also a form of Âé¶¹Ö±²¥'s commitment to actively seeking solutions for the increasingly complex challenges of urbanization, both locally and globally.

Reporter: Iko Sutrisko Prakasa Lay (Mathematics '21)
Indonesian Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering '21)
English Editor:Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2024)

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