Surabaya Mayor Calls for Leadership Relay Among 7,269 New ITS Students
A wave of enthusiasm marked the inauguration ceremony for new students at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) for the odd semester of 2026/2027. A total of 7,269 new undergraduate (S1) and applied bachelor (D4) students officially became part of the ITS extended family at the ITS Alumni Park on Tuesday morning (11/8/2026).
Notably, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi attended to welcome the thousands of new ITS students from across the country as they began their educational journey in the City of Heroes. He reminded them that wearing the ITS alma mater carries a significant consequence: a moral responsibility to uphold the institution’s good name. “Being part of ITS, you are responsible for proving yourselves as the nation’s best talents with superior character,” said the figure also known as Cak Eri.
Eri emphasised the values of togetherness, unity, and mutual cooperation as the primary foundation of national life based on Pancasila. As part of the ITS extended family, students were encouraged to always respect one another, synergise, honour each other, and foster a sense of shared destiny.
The alumnus of the ITS D3 Civil Engineering programme expressed high hopes that future ITS new students would carry on the baton of strategic leadership that brings progress to Indonesia. The tradition of excellence and success of ITS predecessors must be continued by the younger generation through brilliant achievements.
In line with this, ITS Rector Prof Bambang Pramujati asserted that a student bears both privilege and great responsibility during their education. A student is required to continuously cultivate curiosity, dare to ask questions, dare to try, and push the boundaries of knowledge.
Bambang explained that higher education is a journey in shaping the best version of oneself. It is based on four main pillars of strength, starting with a strong scientific foundation and the ability to apply solutions to real problems. “In addition, students must be able to build concern for the environment and others, as well as grow into individuals with integrity,” said the Professor of the ITS Mechanical Engineering Department.
ITS students are encouraged to cultivate a new mentality that needs to be instilled. The Rector reminded the thousands of new ITS students to shift their mindset from fear and doubt to the spirit of a true learner. “So that later, you will always be ready to face the increasingly demanding challenges of the world of work and industry in the future,” said Bambang.
He stated that education is seen as the most powerful weapon to change the world for the better. Its benefits can be felt when knowledge is combined in a balanced way with courage, character, integrity, and high social concern.
Meanwhile, ITS Director of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Prof DrEng Chastine Fatichah SKom MKom reported that of the 7,269 ITS students inaugurated, 5,934 were undergraduate (S1) students. Then, 1,011 were diploma (D4) students and there were 324 students in the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
Chastine explained that this number is a combination of three available pathways: Seleksi Nasional Berdasarkan Prestasi (SNBP), Seleksi Nasional Berdasarkan Tes (SNBT), and Seleksi Mandiri ITS (SMITS). “The distribution of new ITS students this year comes from 37 provinces and six countries including Kuwait, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, Solomon Islands, Zimbabwe, and Timor Leste,” explained the Professor of Informatics Engineering at ITS.
The inauguration ceremony also marked the official opening of GERIGI X UKM EXPO ITS 2026, which will run for three days until 14 August 2026. The event includes various interesting agendas, starting from the Integralistic Parade and performances from dozens of Student Activity Units (UKM) at ITS.
Through this inauguration ceremony, ITS also demonstrated its commitment to improving the quality and equitable access to education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly for point 4 on Quality Education and point 10 on Reduced Inequalities. This commitment is reflected in the admission of 210 new students who received the Kartu Indonesia Pintar-Kuliah (KIP-K) 2026 scholarship.