IO, Surabaya – As a Center of Excellence in maritime technology field in Indonesia, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya attracted many foreign universities to cooperate. One of them is the largest maritime university in China, Dalian Maritime University (DMU), which agreed to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITS on Monday (4/6), at ITS Rectorate Building.
Prof. Dr. Ir Ketut Buda Artana ST MSc, Vice Rector IV ITS Field of Research, Innovation and Cooperation said, there will be some programs that will run between ITS with DMU. However, in the near future, there will be programs which will be implemented in advance, the exchange program of students and lecturers between the two universities.
In addition to the exchange program, ITS and DMU will also cooperate in the field of technology research, especially in the field of maritime. “We are very proud to work with DMU, not only with the Marine Technology Faculty, but we are also open to other fields in the development,” said Kobe University, Japan doctoral alumnus. He pointed out, that it could probably be in the field of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), electronics and engineering.
Ketut also added that the Indonesian government is currently working closely with the Chinese government, especially in the industrial department. Currently, of the ongoing projects is in the field of maritime, the large Silk Road China project that wants to connect the country’s bamboo scene with ASEAN countries through the sea routes.
“It’s an agreement between the governments, of course, the agreement must also be supported by universities. Here, ITS wants to play a role in the cooperation to make it succeed, “said the man who also serves as the International Standing Committee for Japan Institute of Marine Engineering.
Meanwhile, Prof. Liu Zhengjiang, vice president of Dalian Maritime University who saw the huge potential of each university in the field of maritime, is hoping all the programs will run smoothly and have a great impact for both. “We have sixteen thousand majors, eight thousand Masters and one thousand PhDs, we hope in the times to come there will be opportunities for more cooperation between DMU and ITS,” he said.
Interestingly, the entourage of DMU consisting of students and a number of lecturers deliberately boarded their training ship from China to Indonesia. From the Port of Tanjung Priok Jakarta, then they departed to Surabaya and anchored at the Port of Tanjung Perak. “This is a great experience, we from China boarded our training ship to realize DMU to be the number one World Class University. We are proud to work with ITS, “said Prof Liu in English. (ITS)