YOGYAKARTA- Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., inaugurated Concentration of Heavy Equipment Engineering in Mechanical Engineering Diploma Program, in cooperation with PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Limited (subsidiary of Hitachi Heavy Equipment Japan). The opening of the study concentration will complement other existing interests, namely Manufacturing Engineering and Automotive Engineering Suzuki Gadjah Mada.
In addition to the Rector, attending the inauguration were the President Director of PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa, Kardinal A. Karim, Director of Product Support of PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk., Eiji Fukunishi, and Hideo Satake, Director of Administration of PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk.
Before the inauguration by the Rector, Chairman of Mechanical Engineering Diploma Program (PDTM), Wikan Sakarinto, explained that the establishment of this program is in accordance with market studies and philosophy of development of diploma program that is market driven or a real need in the world of work. In this academic year, Wikan said, it is planned to establish Heavy Equipment concentration a D4 program. However, it is possible that this year D3 program will be opened first. Then, in 2013, it will be increased to D4 program.
"It is quite prospective, moreover the development of existing heavy equipment with the human resources is not balanced yet," Wikan said, Thursday (16/2) at Mechanical Engineering Diploma Program, Vocational College UGM.
He later added for the first stage, it will receive approximately two classes for the concentration of heavy equipment. Each class has about 30 new students. Wikan explained that the choice of co-operation with PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa is because currently there are at least 12 thousands of units of heavy equipment in the field produced by PT. Hexindo that should be maintained.
One unit is maintained by a mechanic (SMK graduate). Two mechanical vocational graduates are working under the command of a foreman (D3 graduate). Two foremen are under the command of a supervisor (D4 graduate). Therefore, currently it takes about 3,000 D4 graduates.
"In fact, based on existing market projections, in the next few years the number of units of heavy equipment (PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk production) in the field will increase to approximately 20 thousands," Wikan explained.
Meanwhile, the Rector welcomed the opening of concentration of Heavy Equipment Engineering. He assessed Japan so far has provided a good example in the management of natural resources that can be done also by the ASEAN countries, including Indonesia. According to the Rector, one of the efforts is supported by the Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (SEED-Net).
"The program is quite successful as an educational project in the world, supported by JICA," Sudjarwadi said.
Prof. Sudjarwadi said that the opening of Concentration Specialization is a visionary decision and will inspire the good use of heavy equipment to manage the natural resources which are abundant in Indonesia.
Kardinal A. Karim at the event said that the cooperation with UGM was the first collaboration at university level. Kardinal asserted that the technology and the need for heavy equipment in Indonesia are getting greater so that reliable human resources are needed.
"That's why we cooperate with UGM," Kardinal said.
After the inauguration and the inscription signing, the Rector with leadership of PT. Hexindo visited the Center directly. In addition, the use of excavator produced by PT. Hexindo was demonstrated by one lecturer of Mechanical Engineering Department and Director of Product Support of PT. Hexindo Adiperkasa Tbk, Eiji Fukunishi.