Universitas Indonesia (UI) participated in the university innovation exhibition through its UI Merah Putih Electric Bus product at the 27th National Technology Awakening Day held by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikbudristek RI), on Wednesday (10/8). The event, held at the courtyard of Ministry of Education and Culture’s Building A, aims to awaken the spirit of domestic innovation and celebrate the transformation of education driven by the nation’s technology products.
On that occasion, UI presented an electric bus with the highest Domestic Component Level (TKDN) in Indonesia for the large bus class, which is 12 meters long and weighs a maximum of 16 tons. The bus can accommodate a passenger weight of 13 tons with a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
The UI Merah Putih Electric Bus is a bus whose chassis platform, drive system, brake system, control system, inverter, dashboard, and air conditioning system were independently designed by UI experts and built by domestic companies, namely PT Mobil Anak Bangsa (MAB), PT NSAD, PT Pindad, and PT AICOOL. For almost three years, UI and the four companies collaborated on the electric bus.
The design of electric bus technology was born from the ideas of researchers from the UI Faculty of Engineering, while partner companies act as industrial practitioners who apply it. This step is a form of commitment from UI and industry players to make the environment greener and leafy.
At the exhibition of electric buses for the G20 at the UI Depok Campus, some time ago, UI Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp,OF(K) said that “Universities are an important part of the n-helix synergy. The Tri Dharma of Higher Education requires us to develop education, teaching, research, and community service. The UI Merah Putih Electric Bus is expected to be a solution to the nation’s problems, not only in the transportation sector, but also in the economic sector. In addition to reducing the burden on the government in fulfilling fuel subsidies, electric buses can be an alternative for renewable energy needs and have the potential to strengthen domestic industries, especially in manufacturing.”
The Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, B.A., M.B.A., at the National Technology Awakening Day appreciated all the creations and innovative works of the nation’s children that support the advancement of education through the use of technology. In accordance with Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 71 of 1995, National Technology Awakening Day, which is commemorated every August 10, is a form of appreciation and appreciation for the success of Indonesian children in utilizing, mastering, and developing science and technology, as well as to encourage them to continue to generate innovation and creation for the welfare and progress of the Indonesian nation.
According to Nadiem, there are three words that are closely related to technology: courage, collaboration, and real work. Courage means daring to try and take risks to create innovations that have a positive impact on society. Nadim mentioned that in the world of technology, if we don’t take risks, we will never achieve the desired impact. Secondly, collaboration, because behind all of Kemendikbudristek’s work, there are other organizations and individuals who contribute. Next, the real work. In the world of technology, one cannot showcase the results of one’s efforts without data. Technology must be effective to be called successful.
“To achieve success in technology utilization, the strategy is how we match the champions on campus with companies that have projects. The most effective role of the government in this case is to allocate a budget to unlock the creativity and power of every institution, technology, and engineer throughout Indonesia. Technology if no one uses and utilizes it, is of no use at all.
Acting Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., IPU, Asean Eng. said that during the pandemic, people finally realized and felt that technology is an enabler because it allows people to do things that were previously unimaginable. Technology is also an empowerer because it empowers people. In addition, technology becomes a transformer because it transforms learners, teachers, and lecturers towards a better future. According to Prof. Nizam, the utilization of this technology must be accompanied by the desire to be part of the creators of technology.
“During the pandemic, I saw the energy from my friends on campus, both in universities and polytechnics, it was extraordinary. This creative and collaborative energy is utilized to realize appropriate technology. Collaboration is not only built between campuses, but also between universities, polytechnics, and industry. This is the key for us to build in the future. When we realize the importance of technology, at the same time we also realize the importance of being a part of creating technology,” said Prof. Nizam.
In the future, as the G20 theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger“, Prof. Nizam hopes that the collaboration between institutions can produce innovations that are many times greater than those produced if done alone. In addition, the energy that rose during the pandemic must be increased and strengthened again so that Indonesia can run fast towards a developed and prosperous country.
