Institute of Technology in Bandung observes anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): The Institute of Technology in Bandung celebrated yesterday the 75th anniversary of the beginning of higher learning in technology in Indonesia by dedicating a monument in the memory of its fallen heroes.

The Institute is proud that at least eight of its students and staff gave their lives in the war for independence and various other battles in Java between 1945 and 1950, Antara news agency reported.

The celebration was also marked by scientific orations and the release of two books depicting the Institute's involvement in the national struggle. In addition, another book outlining the history of education in technology in Indonesia between 1920 and 1942 was released.

At the ceremony, Dr. M. Sahari Besari gave a lecture on the state of civil engineering education 75 years ago and its prospects for the future. AD Pirous in his oration spoke about the development of fine arts in Bandung.

Bambang Hidayat, director of the Boscha Observatory in Lembang, north of the west Java capital city, was unable to present his planned speech as his wife, who has served as a professor of biology at the Institute, died earlier in the day.

Mrs. Estiti Bambang Hidayat died of cancer at the Santo Boromeus Hospital and was buried at the Sirnaraga Moslem cemetery later yesterday. Before the burial her body was laid in state at the observatory to allow Bambang's staff to pay their last respects.(05)