Dr. Ferian Anggara, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), was inaugurated as a professor in coal geology at FT UGM on Tuesday (May 14) in the UGM Senate Hall.
Professor Anggara, who was appointed at 40, was also recognized as the youngest professor in the Geological Engineering program.
In his inaugural speech titled “Enhancing the Added Value of Coal to Support the Independence of Indonesia’s Earth Resource Utilization,” Professor Anggara mentioned that Indonesia is currently one of the world’s largest coal producers and exporters.
Data from the last six years consistently shows that Indonesia remains an exporter, with more than 300 million tons annually. Moreover, in the past two years, state revenue from the mineral and coal mining sector has relied heavily on coal.
In 2022, non-tax state revenue (PNBP) reached IDR 127.90 trillion, or 301.88% of the 2022 revenue plan, with the majority, or around 70-80%, coming from coal mining.
According to Professor Anggara, considering the coal reserve data for 2022, which stands at 35.05 billion tons, and the coal production rate in the same year of 687.43 million tons, Indonesia’s coal reserves are projected to last up to 51 years or until 2073.
Besides being an export commodity, coal also remains a source of electricity in Indonesia, contributing nearly 50%. However, with the development of Indonesian government policies and global energy utilization trends, additional efforts in coal utilization are needed.
The coal value-added enhancement program (PNT) with various options is a form of energy management implementation to support sustainable national development and enhance national energy security, as stipulated in Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy.
“The PNT coal program in the metallurgical, agricultural, construction, and various other sectors is expected to support the implementation of total extraction and circular economy concepts in the utilization of resources in Indonesia. Ultimately, as a nation, we can continue to utilize our resources sustainably,” Professor Anggara said.
Professor Anggara stated that his coal-related research has been ongoing since he graduated with his bachelor’s degree and worked in the coal industry. He continued his master’s and doctoral studies while lecturing in the Geological Engineering Department. He also expressed gratitude to the stakeholders who supported his PNT coal research.
“I highly appreciate the contributions of all parties supporting our research, from government institutions, private sectors, research institutions, and universities domestically and internationally,” he said.
The Chair of the UGM Professors Council, Professor Mochammad Maksum, also delivered a speech after bestowing Prof. Ferian Anggara with the professor’s symbol. In his remarks, he mentioned that Professor Anggara is one of 76 active professors out of the 102 FT UGM has ever had. He also became the youngest professor in the department at age 40.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto