Students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) that are on Student Community Service (KKN) from July – August 2018 organise the 4th Indonesian Geothermal Festival to promote Indonesia’s geothermal potential in Tomohon, North Sulawesi.
“The Indonesian Geothermal Festival is the fourth running of which the first was initiated by the UGM student team in 2015,” said student coordinator of Lahendong unit, Yosua Priambodo, on Wednesday (8/8).
The Festival runs with fun trip for secondary students from Manado, Tomohon, and Minahasa to places such as Geothermal Manifestation in Leilem, Aren Masarang sugar factory, Pertamina Geothermal Energy in Tondangow and Tompaso, and PLTP in Tompaso.
“These spots are selected to be the fun trip destination to introduce the students to geothermal manifestations and utilisation in North Sulawesi,” he said.
A story-telling and debate competitions were also organised related to geothermal energy and excellences.
The Festival peaked with a feast presenting performances such as Kabasaran dance by SMP Kristen Tomohon, drumband by Institut Pemerintah Dalam Negeri (IPDN), Maengket dance by SMP 4 Tomohon, Kolintang music by SMP 1 Tomohon, new creation dance by SMP Lokon, ABI Band – supervised by LPKA and supported by CSR programme of PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy.
Other events include talkshow, culinary demo, competitions for children and photo exhibition. Attending the events were expert staff to Mayor of Tomohon, Mariam Rau S.H, M.H , Dean of Faculty of Engineering UGM, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., Ph.D., and regional government representatives, geothermal industry, tourism industry, and general public.
Supervisor of student team of Lahendong unit, Ir. Pri Utami, MSc., Ph.D., said the festival was run as the media of learning for the general public on geothermal potential in North Sulawesi which is abundant. She hoped in the future society and local government would manage such potential to be developed into geothermal tourism.