ITK and Three Universities Form ITX Technology Consortium
Balikpapan (ANTARA) – The Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK) is strengthening its national cooperation network by forming the Indonesian State Institutes of Technology Consortium (ITX) with three other technology universities, with the aim of accelerating research development and the commercialisation of innovation.
The strategic partnership is with Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya, and Sumatra Institute of Technology (ITERA) in Lampung.
“ITX was initiated as a forum for technology universities to work together to accelerate research development, the commercialisation of innovation and the strengthening of national industrial competitiveness,” ITK Rector Prof. Agus Rubiyanto said in Balikpapan on Thursday.
Prof. Agus said the consortium’s formation was one of the key events in the programme marking ITK’s 12th anniversary, held during an open senate session at the auditorium of ITK’s Integrated Laboratory I building.
He said the consortium was established because research and development still makes a limited contribution to the national economy. Indonesia’s research and development budget currently stands at about 0.23 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Under the allocation of research priorities, ITB will focus on advanced manufacturing, new energy and semiconductors through Bandung Tech Valley. ITS will develop industrial automation, robotics and electric vehicles through the Maritime and Automation Hub.
ITERA will strengthen the development of renewable energy, agro-industry and the bioeconomy through the Sumatra Energy & Bioindustry Park.
ITK will take a strategic role in developing coastal technology, digital fisheries and maritime energy through the Kalimantan Coastal Tech Hub concept, reflecting the region’s maritime potential.
Under its development plan, ITX aims to establish four technology development centres capable of taking projects through to commercialisation, or Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 8–9, and to develop 150 market-ready technology products.
The consortium also plans to establish 20 deep-tech start-ups, train 5,000 skilled technology professionals certified to industry standards, and provide the InnoHub ITX digital platform to connect research outcomes with industry and investors.