KUPANG - The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FST) at Nusa Cendana University (Undana) held the 6th National Science and Engineering Seminar (Semnas) both online and offline. The seminar, with the theme 'Climate Change Mitigation in Semi-Arid Island Regions Through Innovation in Science and Engineering,' took place at the Swiss-Bellin Kristal Hotel in Kupang on September 6th, 2023.
Through the participation of knowledgeable speakers, the seminar aspired to create an avenue for experts in the field of Science and Engineering to share novel concepts and innovations. These contributions are intended to serve as guidance for addressing climate change challenges in Indonesia, particularly in the semi-arid island regions of East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT).
The keynnote speakers included Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc, Dean of the Faculty of Biology at Gadjah Mada University and Chairman of the Indonesian Biology Consortium (KOBI); Dr. Eng. Pandji Prawisudha, ST., MT, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Program at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB); and Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Hadi, M.Sc., from the Climate Change Information Center.
There were also 5 (five) invited speakers from Undana in the fields of science, including Prof. Dr. Febri Odel Nitbani, S.Si., M.Si., Robertus Dole Guntur, S.Si., M.Math.Sc., Ph.D., and Fidelis Nitti, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., as well as in the field of engineering, namely Prof. Dr. Denik Sri Krisnayanti, ST., MT, and Prof. Dr. Sudirman, ST., MT.
In this seminar, 50 presenters from various universities presented their papers, and it was attended by hundreds of participants, both online and offline.
The focus and scope related to the field of Science and Engineering discussed in the seminar included Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geophysics, and Astronomy; Computer Science, Informatics, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering; Civil Engineering, Materials and Infrastructure, as well as Architecture and Regional Planning. Additionally, topics covered Agriculture, Livestock and Livestock Management, Maritime and Marine Affairs, as well as Disaster Management.
During her opening speech at the Science and Engineering Seminar (Semnas Saintek), Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. drh. Annytha I. R. Detha, M.Si, highlighted the commendable academic culture cultivated by FST Undana, emphasizing that it serves as a positive example worthy of emulation and appreciation.
According to Prof. Annytha, the outcome of the seminar will undoubtedly generate ideas and innovative products through the collaborative efforts of the participants. She mentioned, ''The presence of competent speakers in their respective fields will provide input, ideas, and new innovations that can be utilized based on our comparative advantage in dryland areas''.
Regarding research, community service, and innovations conducted by faculty members with students, Undana's Vice Rector I stated that Undana is currently working on developing guidelines for final assignments beyond just theses. 'We are aware of Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 53 of 2023 concerning Quality Assurance in Higher Education, which regulates the conversion of final assignments into forms other than just theses,' she explained.
In this way," continued Undana's Vice Rector I, "the collaborative projects undertaken by faculty and students can be converted into final assignments. We are currently working on the guidelines, and in due course, we will provide them to the deans as a reference for structuring final assignments, in addition to theses, for our students," concluded Prof. Annytha.
In his address, the Dean of FST Undana, Prof. Philiphi de Rozari, S.Si., M.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D, emphasized that the issue of climate change has become crucial, particularly in NTT as a semi-arid region. He stated, "NTT, as one of the regions affected by climate change, requires mitigation measures."
He mentioned that the center of excellence in Timor Island is the dryland area, which is vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, there is a need for technology and innovation that can be utilized for climate change mitigation in this region.
"Hence, if individuals wish to study the subject of dryland islands, they are welcome to come and learn at Undana; this is our aspiration," he stated. Additionally, Prof. Philiphi extended his gratitude to the speakers who shared their expertise, as well as to the presenters and attendees. "This seminar, undoubtedly, has the potential to generate fresh ideas that can make significant contributions to the field of science and engineering in addressing issues within semi-arid island regions," the Dean of FST Undana concluded.
Previously, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. I Gusti Ngurah Wiras Hardy, mentioned that Undana's FST national seminar has been held biennially since 2015.
"We discussed the causes of climate change, the current impacts of climate change, and the measures taken for mitigation, prevention, and adaptation to the ongoing climate change," he added.
Dr. I Gusti Ngurah stated that the concrete steps taken after the seminar include the publication of journals aimed at informing the Indonesian public about climate change mitigation measures.
He hopes that through these activities, FST Undana can facilitate researchers, academics, and practitioners to share knowledge (knowledge transfer) and collaborate in addressing climate change issues within the community.
"We hope that the public not only reads and gets educated but also actively contributes to climate change mitigation to have a significant impact on environmental sustainability," he concluded.
Also present on the occasion was Undana's Vice Rector IV, Prof. Dr. Jefri S. Bale, ST., M.Eng., who is a Professor in the Field of Material Engineering at FST.
