In his opening remarks, ITB’s Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Ir. Lavi Rizki Zuhal, Ph.D., emphasized that energy resilience is a strategic issue that must be comprehensively understood by students. He encouraged students not only to excel in technical aspects but also to develop a broader, macro level perspective.

“Energy resilience is essential for the nation. ITB students are expected not only to be strong at the micro level but also capable of understanding challenges from a macro perspective,” he stated.

In the main session, Dr. Oki Muraza shared his career journey as an ITB Chemical Engineering alumnus who has worked across industry and academia, and now holds a strategic position at PT Pertamina (Persero). He highlighted that cross-sector experience is a crucial asset in addressing the complexity of national energy challenges.

He explained that Pertamina serves as the backbone of Indonesia’s energy sector, as mandated by the government, encompassing three key aspects: energy resilience, energy independence, and energy sovereignty. “Pertamina carries a significant responsibility in maintaining Indonesia’s energy resilience, independence, and sovereignty,” he remarked.

Furthermore, he elaborated on the concept of the energy trilemma, which refers to the challenge of providing energy that is affordable, equitable, and sustainable simultaneously. In this context, domestic energy production plays a crucial role in driving national economic growth.

“Domestic energy production must become the growth engine of the economy. By utilizing domestic resources, we not only meet energy demands but also create jobs and increase economic value,” he explained.

He also noted that the energy sector’s role extends beyond meeting basic needs, it serves as a key driver of economic activity through the creation of an integrated value chain. As a national energy company, Pertamina strives to optimize this potential through integrated energy business management from upstream to downstream.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of developing integrated energy infrastructure across regions to ensure equitable energy distribution throughout Indonesia. Interregional connectivity is key to maximizing the utilization of domestic resources.

On the other hand, the development of renewable energy based on local resources is also a major focus, including the utilization of energy crops. These efforts require cross-sector collaboration, ranging from agriculture and industry to the energy sector.

“Going forward, cross-sector integration will be key. Energy cannot stand alone, it must be connected with other sectors to create added value,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of advancing the circular economy, particularly through the conversion of waste into energy (waste-to-energy). Indonesia is seen as having significant potential to develop this technology and catch up with other countries. In addition, geothermal energy development continues to be promoted, not only as a source of electricity but also as a basis for producing higher value-added products in the future.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Oki emphasized that challenges in the energy sector require not only technical expertise but also adaptability and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

“Do not stop at technical skills alone. In the professional world, there are no longer rigid boundaries between disciplines. Be individuals who can provide solutions to real-world challenges,” he advised. He also shared his experience of continuously learning beyond technical fields, including legal and business aspects, upon entering the industry.

“Start seeing challenges as something we can solve together, and become individuals who contribute solutions,” he concluded.

Through this event, students are expected to gain a broader understanding of the strategic role of the energy sector in national development and be encouraged to contribute to achieving sustainable energy resilience in Indonesia.

Reporter: Diva Anastasia Farasilva (Urban and Regional Planning, 2022)