ITS Alumni Association in East Java Strengthens Maritime Technology for Regional Development
Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - The Alumni Association (IKA) of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in East Java is strengthening maritime technology collaboration with local governments, universities, industry, and state-owned enterprises (BUMN) to support downstreaming programmes, the blue economy, and the resolution of regional development issues.
Secretary General of the IKA ITS East Java Regional Board, who is also Vice Rector II of ITS, Machsus, assessed that Indonesia needs to change its perspective on the sea. “The sea is not a divider between us; the sea is a connector, the sea is a source of life, and the sea is Indonesia’s future,” he stated in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.
He said that Indonesia’s maritime potential does not automatically become economic strength without the mastery of science and technology, innovation, downstreaming, human resource development, and cross-sector collaboration. “Potential does not automatically become advantage, resources do not automatically become prosperity, and great ideas do not automatically become reality,” he said.
According to him, higher education institutions have a crucial role in producing technology and innovation that can answer the needs of society, industry, and government.
Meanwhile, Surabaya Mayor and Chairman of the IKA ITS East Java Regional Board, Eri Cahyadi, said alumni networks need to be consolidated so they can serve as a bridge between universities, government, industry, state-owned enterprises, and the community. “The spirit is to unite ideas into a movement and transform potential into strength,” he said.
He assessed that cross-sector synergy is important because universities possess science and technology, the government holds authority and policy, industry has investment capability and market access, while alumni have networks that can bring these interests together.
The IKA ITS East Java Regional Board, together with ITS, is also expanding synergy with several district and city governments to strengthen the use of technology and innovation in solving regional development problems.
Maritime sector development is directed at three main areas: the blue economy, marine and fisheries downstreaming, and maritime technology innovation.
Daily Chairman of the IKA ITS East Java Regional Board, Yoke Candra Katon, said the alumni organisation needs to focus its programmes on realistic and executable activities. “We must not end up with too many programmes that are difficult to execute. Therefore, programmes must be prioritised based on the strengths of each field,” he said.
He added that cross-generational alumni involvement continues to be strengthened through various organisational communication channels. “The professional commitments of each board member must be balanced with a commitment to dedicate time, energy, networks, and contributions to the organisation,” he said.
In addition to strengthening technology collaboration, the alumni organisation is also developing an alumni economic ecosystem through business matching, startup pitching, business forums, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) coaching, and cooperation with companies owned or led by ITS alumni.
A total of 36 participants of the Future Leaders Programme (FLP) also expressed their readiness to engage in the organisation’s collaborative agenda to strengthen leadership continuity and alumni contributions to regional and national development.