Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI) Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. received the Partnership Appreciation Award from the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia (RI). This award is a form of appreciation from the Ministry of Transportation to UI for being one of the universities that actively contributes to producing research and innovation to improve public transportation. The award presentation was carried out at the Hub Space event which took place on Friday (29/9), at the Plenary Hall, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta. Vice Rector for Human Resources (HR) and UI Assets, Prof. Dr. Ir. Dedi Priadi, DEA representing the Rector of UI received the award given by the Indonesian Minister of Transportation, Dr. Ir. Budi Karya Sumadi.
Apart from the UI Rector, Partnership Appreciation was given to three other rectors, namely the Rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D.; Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D.; and the Rector of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Ashari, M.Eng., IPU, Asean. Eng. When delivering his speech, Minister Budi said, “We invited these four universities because they are true partners who provide support to the Ministry of Transportation for the progress of transportation in Indonesia.”
For this award, Prof. Dedi expressed his thanks to the UI Rector and the UI academic community for the efforts made so far. According to him, the cooperation between the Ministry of Transportation and UI has been going on for quite a long time, one of which is through HR upgrading activities at the Ministry of Transportation through the Master Degree program at UI.
“There is also a transportation community program where UI is involved in research involving experts from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics. In the future, there will be many activities carried out, one of which is the development of land transportation using electric vehicles. We hope that the research on electric buses and high-speed trains carried out by UI can be implemented together at the Ministry of Transportation,” said Prof. Dedi.
Apart from giving awards to chancellors, the Ministry of Transportation also gives Transportation Dedication Awards to Ministers of Transportation from time to time. The award was given directly by the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, General TNI (HOR) (Ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, MPA, to Prof. Dr. Emil Salim (1973–1978), Lieutenant General. TNI (Ret.) Agum Gumelar (1999–2001 and 2001–2004), Dr. Ir. Hatta Rajasa (2004–2007), Ir. Jusman Syafii Djamal (2007–2009), and Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Evert Ernest Mangindaan (2011–2014).
According to Minister Budi, Hub Space is a node of interaction and collaboration between the Ministry of Transportation, the public and all partners, from academics, the community, to the media. Hub Space, which carries the theme “New Culture of Mass Transportation”, was also attended by President Joko Widodo and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. H. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, B.B.A., M.B.A. President Joko Widodo on that occasion reviewed various transportation on display at the Hub Space event.
There are four main events being held at Hub Space 2023. First, Hub Expo is an exhibition of transportation development achievements in Indonesia. Second, Hub Talks which presents resource persons from various fields, from transportation activists, influencers, transportation business managers, to national connectivity policy makers. Third, Hub Travel, namely a travel fair organized by the Ministry of Transportation and PT KAI Wisata. Lastly, the Hub Stage which presents many cross-generational competitions and entertainment from Indonesian artists to comedians.
