ITB Rector: 'Science, Technology, and Art as Pillars of the Nation'

Oleh Nida Nurul Huda

Editor Nida Nurul Huda

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - In Commemoration of Higher Education to 93 Indonesian Engineering, ITB Rector, Prof. Akhmaloka give his speech. The commemoration took place on Wednesday (03/07/13) in the West Hall ITB. On the occasion, Prof. Akhmaloka convey the history and development of science, technology, and art  and its influence is so great for the progress of a nation.
On Saturday, July 3, 1920 was born a Higher Technical Education in Indonesia named De Techniche Hoogeschool te Bandung (TH). The school was established to meet the needs of builders in the plantation irrigation Netherlands. TH has only one faculty Facultiet van de Technische Wetenschap (Faculty of Technical Sciences) which has only one direction ie de afdeeling der Weg en Waterbouw (Department of Civil Engineering).

"Currently, TH has been transformed into the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB). A background in science, technology,and art education institution that is respected both at national and international level", said Akhmaloka.

Looking at the Indonesian nation approaching a period of 68 years after independence and in 2045 realized 100 years still has not made a major leap forward. There are a number of people who managed to increase very rapidly advances less than half a century. Instead, there are a number of people who tend to be static even no change of fortune in a long time. According to rapid or slow the progress of a nation depends on the clarity of the vision of the nation as well as the struggles to execute the vision. And to menwujudkan ideals of a nation, it is necessary mastery of science and technology. Akhmaloka  stated that science,technology, and art are the cornerstones of independence nation building.

Advancement of science, technology and art as a break through barriers, Economic Machine, and Light Brightening

Science and technology is a determinant factor for the progress of the nation. During this time, Akhmaloka see where there is a developed nation can be assured the nation science and technology has also advanced. Science and technology in a nation that is likened to the three embodiments as breakthrough progress, economic engine, and light illuminator.

Science,technology and art will be a breakthrough power of progress, only if science and technology to integrate with various sector-sektorlainnya. Science, technology, and art development must go hand in hand with the industrial sector, the economy, education, and culture. Science, technology, and art is an important economic engine. The significance of not only the progress of science, technology, and art in economic measures alone, but in a cultural benchmark. In the perspective of economics, science and technology is an important factor to increase production efficiency and industrial competitiveness. However, science,technology, and art is also an illuminator light. Nation with advanced science and technology to be able to look far ahead, and realize the things that were previously considered impossible. That is the cultural significance of science and technology progress.

Still Relying on Science and Technology imports


Akhmaloka also describes the modeling of a liberal democracy and a liberal economy that is believed to be the final form of the political system and economic system of the nations of the world turned out to have some systemic weaknesses. Instead of final, it displays the history of the development of the new episode nations such as Latin America, Middle East, and Asia.

One is China, China has a strong government and provide vast opportunities for the private sector to take part in the construction. China adopts a market economy. The Chinese government and the private sector working together to fight for social interests at the global level Chinese. China's economic system refers to the socialist market is more balanced with fair competition.

Development of the role of science and technology seems to require the state and the market as well. Akhmaloka look at the science, technology, and art development appears logical still rely on foreign countries. This is evident from the various sectors of the economy that are still using science and technology imports. "The dependence of science and technology will make Indonesia difficult to determine its own future, and gradually lost its sovereignty", said Akhmaloka.

Dependence of science and technology into a challenge that must be answered Inodesia to realize the nation's progress. ITB as institutions engaged in the field of technology is expected to be a pioneer in the science, technology, and art that contribute to nation building.

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