Civilization’s rapid progress has brought about the potential for disruption and environmental damage, necessitating engineering, innovation, and technology to anticipate these challenges.
The UGM Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM) was born out of the spirit of the nation’s struggle. From the beginning, this faculty has served as a center for engineering education and as part of the greater mission of building an independent and competitive Indonesia in technology.
This commitment is realized through its contributions to advancing Indonesia as a sovereign, just, prosperous, and well-being nation.
“For 79 years, FT UGM has educated the nation’s future generations and grown to become a leader in developing higher education in engineering in Indonesia. This ongoing role makes the faculty a key reference in innovation and the development of engineering sciences at the national level,” said Professor Selo, Dean of FT UGM, during the 79th Higher Engineering Education Day celebration at the Soerjohadikoesoemo Building Auditorium, FT UGM, Monday (Feb. 17).
At the age of 79, the faculty has grown and developed into a trusted institution of higher engineering education, with extensive networks and recognition nationally and internationally.
It has also made tangible contributions toward realizing Indonesia’s sovereign, just, prosperous, and well-being.
FT UGM has achieved remarkable results in international rankings. In the QS World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject 2024, UGM ranks first in Indonesia in Engineering and Technology with an overall score of 64.1.
Globally, UGM ranks 316th in this field.
The score is based on several indicators, including academic reputation (71.2), employer reputation (69.2), citations per paper (60.7), h-index citation (46.6), and international research network (41).
“This achievement would not have been possible without the support of all parties. To maintain this performance and reputation, FT UGM continues to enhance the quality of education and services through strategic actions and policies,” the dean said.
Regarding the assurance of educational standards recognized both nationally and internationally, Professor Selo mentioned that FT UGM consistently carries out quality assurance processes for its study programs.
National accreditation is conducted through BAN-PT, LAM Teknik, and LAM Infokom, while international accreditation is carried out by IABEE, ABET, IChemE, KAAB, and ASIIN.
As of 2024, 14 study programs have received international accreditation, while 34 programs have achieved the highest national accreditation, “Unggul” or “Excellent.”
To support global education, FT UGM continues to expand its internationalization program.
In the 2024/2025 academic year, the International Class for Undergraduate Programs (IUP) will be expanded to include five additional study programs: Chemical Engineering, Geodesy Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Information Engineering.
FT UGM also continues to develop international collaborations through double degree programs at the undergraduate and master’s levels, fast-track programs, joint student projects, joint supervision for doctoral students, and international internships.
“Throughout 2024, 92 foreign students participated in academic activities at FT UGM through various schemes, while 39 students participated in student mobility programs at overseas partner universities,” he added.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia, in her welcome speech, stated that the development of technology and the technical instruments it produces not only serve to assist human will, ideas, thoughts, and actions.
However, they also respond to and enable humans to adapt to the challenges of changing civilizations, including global climate change, to create a quality and sustainable environment.
She noted that the impact of global climate change is slowly beginning to be felt by all levels of society.
Environmentally sound policy decisions are crucial and must be based on scientific knowledge and research data.
Therefore, educational institutions, through the roles of academics, practitioners, and researchers, are expected to generate innovations while fostering environmental awareness in students.
“UGM will remain committed to supporting renewable energy programs and environmental restoration. So far, UGM has promoted the Net Zero Emission Campus program, which is part of an energy efficiency action plan, the use of renewable energy, and an emissions reduction program,” she said.
The 79th Higher Engineering Education Day Scientific Speech was delivered by Professor Heri Hermansyah, Rector of the University of Indonesia (UI) for the 2024–2029 period, who is an alumnus of UGM’s 2023 professional engineering education program.
In his address, he delivered a speech titled “The Role of Engineering in Responding to Global Climate Change and Creating a Quality and Sustainable Environment.”
He mentioned that the challenges engineering faculties face involve innovation, global competition, digital revolution, and change.
The world is moving at an unavoidable speed. In the midst of technological disruption, the post-COVID era, geopolitical unrest, and globalization, climate change is the greatest challenge of the 21st century.
“The current battleground is the climate crisis, which threatens 270 million people. WHO data shows that in the past two decades, climate change has claimed 250,000 lives annually worldwide due to heat waves, famine, and disease outbreaks,” he said.
According to him, higher education in engineering must transform its curriculum to be responsive to climate change, strengthen research on renewable energy, and focus on low-carbon infrastructure.
“It is also essential to make campuses living laboratories for sustainable development,” he said.
At the 79th Higher Engineering Education Day celebration, the Herman Johannes Award was presented to Anton Sudjarwo, a 1964 alumnus of the Civil Engineering Department at FT UGM.
The award was given for his contributions to community service and empowerment.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto