AI and the energy crisis take centre stage at ITPLN's 48th graduation
Energy transition is accelerating, AI is changing the way work is done, geopolitical tensions are heating up, and jobs are changing faster than curricula. The key word is adaptability, said ITPLN Rector Prof Iwa Garniwa during ITPLN’s 48th graduation in Jakarta on Thursday.
In addition to AI development, Iwa noted that geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, and changes in energy supply chains will be challenges to address in the future.
Therefore, he hopes the 424 graduates conferred today will become outstanding, adaptable, innovative individuals capable of withstanding the challenges of the national energy transition.
Iwa emphasised that ITPLN is one of Indonesia’s universities that positions itself specifically as an energy transition campus. As such, curricula and academic activities are directed at producing talents ready to face changes in the global energy sector.
“ITPLN is not just an energy campus, but a campus for energy transition. We are facing a path towards net-zero emissions and extraordinary energy geopolitics,” said Iwa Garniwa.
Furthermore, Head of the Higher Education Service Institute (LLDikti) Region III, Henri Togar Hasiholan Tambunan, reminded on this occasion that AI and automation are now taking over many technical jobs. Yet human values remain the key factor that machines cannot replace.
“Machines do not have a conscience to safeguard the environment, they do not have empathy for providing electricity access to people in remote areas, and they do not understand the meaning of service to the nation,” he said.
Henri reminded graduates that engineers today must possess not only technical abilities but also empathy and social responsibility.
He urged the graduates to maintain integrity and attitude, not to fear starting careers from the bottom, and to strengthen alumni networks as a form of collaboration to build the nation.
The ITPLN 48th graduation comprises: for postgraduate studies, 40 Master of Electrical Engineering graduates; 1 Master of Mechanical Engineering; 2 Master of Civil Engineering; 8 Master of Computer Science graduates; and 47 graduates from the Engineer Professional Programme.
For bachelor’s degrees: 58 graduates in Electrical Engineering; 1 in Power Engineering; 1 in Energy Systems Engineering; 27 in Mechanical Engineering; 15 in Energy Business; 56 in Computer Engineering; 7 in Civil Engineering; and 125 graduates in Diploma of Electrical Technology; and 36 graduates in Diploma of Mechanical Engineering.