The commemoration served as a moment to reflect on more than a century of engineering higher education in Indonesia while reaffirming ITB’s commitment to advancing science and technology that create meaningful impacts for society and the sustainability of life.

In his remarks, ITB Rector / President, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., stated that the PTTI commemoration is not merely about remembering the establishment of an educational institution, but also about celebrating a long journey of nation-building through science, technology, arts, and humanity.

For more than a century, ITB has contributed to producing outstanding human resources, innovations, and solutions that have helped shape modern Indonesia. He encouraged the academic community not only to regard history as a legacy of the past, but also as a source of inspiration for considering what contributions can be made to future generations.

“History never asks us to stop admiring the past. History always poses new questions to every generation. After everything that has been entrusted to us, what will we leave for the future?” said the ITB Rector..

He also emphasized that the challenges facing engineering higher education today cannot be addressed through fragmented approaches. Building upon the ideas of intellectual humility and the Fourth Culture, which were highlighted during previous PTTI and ITB anniversary commemorations, ITB this year underscored the importance of collaboration and interdependence as fundamental principles for shaping the future of engineering education.

According to him, excellence in 21st-century universities is no longer determined by their ability to stand alone, but by their capacity to become hubs that connect diverse forms of intelligence to generate shared benefits. Collaboration, therefore, is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of a mature civilization.

This year’s Open Senate PTTI Session featured a keynote scientific lecture by renewable energy expert Tri Mumpuni that discussed “Science and Technology for the Sustainability of Life: Balancing Growth, Social Justice, and Environmental Preservation.”

In her lecture, she highlighted the importance of developing science and technology that are not solely oriented toward economic growth but are also capable of addressing social inequality and safeguarding environmental sustainability.

She emphasized that innovation should be directed toward creating inclusive benefits for society while supporting sustainable development. The theme resonated with the ITB Rector’s view on the need to expand collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and countries to address global challenges such as food security, energy transition, sustainable urban development, disaster mitigation, and the application of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. He noted that Indonesia possesses significant strengths, including its biodiversity, cultural richness, and geographical diversity, which can serve as a foundation for generating knowledge and technologies relevant to the world.

On the same occasion, ITB also presented awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the institution and the advancement of engineering higher education in Indonesia.

A total of 11 distinguished figures received the Ganesa Widya Jasa Adiutama Award in recognition of their exceptional dedication and contributions to the advancement of science, technology, arts, education, and ITB.

In addition, nine distinguished individuals were honored with the Ganesa Wirya Jasa Adiutama Award for their service, contributions, and support that have had a meaningful impact on the development of ITB and engineering higher education in Indonesia.

In closing, the ITB Rector emphasized that the greatest legacy of a university is not its buildings or laboratories, but a culture of open-mindedness, humility, and collaboration. He stressed that universities must continue to serve as pioneers of knowledge, drivers of innovation, and guardians of humanitarian values in addressing future challenges.

Through the 106th Anniversary of Engineering Higher Education in Indonesia, ITB reaffirmed its commitment to remaining an adaptive higher education institution that responds to the changing times, produces impactful innovations, and fosters collaboration in delivering solutions to sustainable development challenges.