Universitas Gadjah Mada has recently inaugurated 699 new engineers. These new engineers hail from three faculties: the Faculty of Engineering (592), the Faculty of Forestry (70), and the Faculty of Animal Science (37).
The inauguration ceremony occurred at Grha Sabha Pramana in Bulaksumur on Tuesday, Jul. 16, 2024.
It was attended by Professor Selo, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Professor Budi Guntoro, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science; and Dr. Sigit Sunarta, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry.
Several other officials were also in attendance, including M. Erry Sugiharto, the Director of Human Resources at PT Pertamina (Persero), Bambang Goeritno, the Secretary General of the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) Central Office, and Dr. Ammy Nurwati, the Director of Ecosystem Management and Restoration (BPPE) at the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Representing the deans, Professor Budi Guntoro stated that the number of graduates from the Professional Engineering Program (PSPPI) across universities offering engineering education is still far from the ideal number needed to face global competition.
This is especially crucial as the mobilization of professional engineers to meet the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) demands will culminate in 2025.
He emphasized that if significant efforts are not made to fill the engineering shortage, the number of engineers in Indonesia will likely not meet the target by the end of the AEC in 2025. The minimum requirement is at least 1 million engineers.
With the current low numbers, the Republic of Indonesia will undoubtedly face significant challenges in global competition.
The only solution is to increase awareness of globalization among professionals, practitioners, educators, and the Indonesian Engineers Association to collectively recognize the importance of adhering to Law No. 11 of 2014.
“This will help increase the number of engineers in Indonesia, enabling them to meet domestic needs and compete globally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Erry Sugiharto, one of the graduates representing the recipients of professional engineer certificates, stated that recognition of expertise is an essential aspect of an engineer’s career journey.
Having official certification as an engineer is a testament to one’s integrity in meeting established competency standards.
“This is not merely a formality but a guarantee that we are ready to assume the significant responsibilities that come with the engineering profession,” he said.
Sugiharto noted that data shows Indonesia has significantly fewer engineers than neighboring countries like Vietnam and South Korea, with only 2,670 engineers per million people.
In comparison, Vietnam has 9,000, and South Korea has 25,000 engineers per million people.
He also highlighted the Indonesian government’s aggressive roadmap towards becoming an advanced nation through various strategic projects across the country, which underscores the critical role of engineers in facilitating and delivering on these initiatives.
Additionally, in the era of Industry 5.0, which demands the utilization of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning, engineers must possess high skill sets and learning agility to adapt and innovate quickly without limits.
“This is our opportunity to build credibility and collaborate inclusively to support industrial advancement,” he remarked.
Dr. Ammy Nurwati shared a similar sentiment. She stated that as Indonesia aims for “Golden Indonesia 2045,” the demand for engineers will increase in various fields, including industrial engineering and construction, requiring technical expertise and management skills.
In forestry and agro-related fields, the engineering profession is expected to play a role in maintaining and even enhancing productivity and the sustainability of forest ecosystems, adhering to engineering ethics, scientific knowledge, and technology.
“Moreover, engineers are expected to have outstanding character, ethics, integrity, and responsibility in all their decisions and work,” Dr. Nurwati explained, representing the newly inaugurated engineers.
Bambang Goeritno reminded the audience that professionalism embodies a professional’s behavior, expertise, and quality. All professional actions are governed by a code of ethics.
“Thus, a professional engineer is someone who fully and comprehensively masters science and technology, has experience, and upholds professional ethics,” he added.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang
Photographer: Donnie