IO, Surabaya – In their mission to become a World Class University, Institute Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has strengthened their global network with international universities. Now they have collaborated with Mokpo National University (MNU) in South Korea to create a joint-degree program. The collaboration was finalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Wednesday (30/1) in the ITS Rectorate.
The memorandums were signed by ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Joni Hermana MSc ES Ph.D. and Mokpo National University President Prof. Park Min Seo. The joint-degree program was for undergraduate degrees from the ITS Department of Marine Engineering in the Faculty of Marine Technology.
In his opening speech, the rector stated that the collaboration with MNU was a good step for ITS, especially as ITS was currently conducting large amounts of technological research, particularly in maritime fields. “ITS currently has a lot of research, especially in the maritime field,” said the Rector.
The MNU President stated that Korea and Indonesia were alike in the fact that they had vast seas and as a result, it was vital for them to develop their maritime fields. “I hope in the future the maritime field can make a larger contribution to the economy,” said Park Min Seo, delivering a lecture in Korean, for his opening speech.
According to MNU delegate Lee Chan Dai, their collaboration with ITS was between ITS’s Department of Marine Engineering and MNU’s Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. In the program every year around 80 students would be sent to MNU. “With the details that around 30 students would be sent in the first year and the rest sent in the second,” said the MNU Institute of International Exchange & Education Director.
ITS Deputy Rector IV Prof Dr. Ketut Buda Artana ST MSc stated that the program span three years in ITS and one year in MNU. “Students would take around 81 credits in ITS and 63 credits in Mokpo National University,” said the deputy rector.
The Marine System Engineering professor also said that students participating in the program would be ready to face challenges put forth by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and would learn about ship production and automation. The knowledge would be very much needed in advancing the ship industry in Indonesia according to the deputy rector. “Other than that, they would also receive experience apprenticing there. Hopefully, they can overcome global challenges.” (ITS Public Relations)