Held in the Intercontinental Bandung Hotel, the Vice Rector of Finance, Planning, and Development Ir. Muhamad Abduh, M.T., Ph.D. signed the MoU with the Head Director of PT Bukit Asam Arsal Ismail. PT Bukit Asam also partnered with Padjajaran University to carry out studies in the humanities sector.

Arsal remarked that PT Bukit Asam aimed to improve civilization, welfare and the future of the people as a mining company. "This collaboration follows our company’s value in transforming and strengthening the downstreaming of the coal sector," he said.

Arsal added the net zero emission target has been set to 2060. Hence, research on commercial usage and optimization of coal is necessary to achieve net zero emissions.

Through the signing of the MoU, the company believed that this partnership could provide new perspectives in research and development of coal. "Strengthening the research on coal utilization is important because there are still many derivative products that can be produced. Together with ITB, we are currently conducting studies on carbon capture and storage, in which progress has entered the laboratory scale.”

Ir. Abduh said that the collaboration with PT Bukit Asam is an extension of the previously established MoU. He also mentioned that changing the coal paradigm from being harmful to environmentally friendly requires innovation.

ITB has 32 research centers managed by LPIT (Institute for the Development of Science and Technology), one of which focuses on coal- the Center of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage. The center is hoped to contribute to the 2060 target.

"Through education, research and community services, ITB will try to support these efforts in accomplishing net zero emission. Hopefully, this MoU can produce an implementative and broad cooperation between parties involved," Ir. Abduh concluded.

ITB and PT Bukit Asam agreed to conduct research and development on the energy and technology of coal-based industries as well as new renewable ones. In addition, both will help in providing input in the assessment and application of technology and energy of the industry.

Reporter: Adi Permana
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)