The event provided students with an opportunity to learn about the role of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and international standards, their implementation in industry, and the role of young people as informed and responsible consumers. It also encouraged students to view standardization as an integral part of the innovation ecosystem, industrial development, and Indonesia’s efforts to enhance its competitiveness.

Director of Student Affairs at ITB, Prof. Dr. apt. Muhammad Insanu, S.Si., M.Si., stated that the involvement of higher education institutions in the event highlighted the importance of integrating knowledge of standards into the academic environment as part of students’ preparation before entering the professional world. Universities hold a strategic position within the standardization ecosystem through knowledge development, the provision of expertise, and the involvement of academics in the development of standards.

The event continued with a keynote speech by Director of Agro, Chemical, Health, and Conformity Assessment Standards Development, Dr. Heru Susanto, S.Pi., M.T. In his session, standardization was presented as an important instrument for cultivating a culture of quality while strengthening connections among universities, industry, government, and society.

ITB as Part of the Standardization Ecosystem

During a presentation on Standardization and Conformity Assessment, Head of the BSN Technical Service Office, Hardiles, S.T., M.T., explained that standardization covers various aspects, including systems, services, processes, and products. Standards are formulated through technical committees involving multiple stakeholders, including experts, government representatives, businesses, and consumers. This mechanism places consensus at the heart of developing standards that are relevant and applicable.

“Universities play an important role in this process. Their contributions can include submitting proposals for the formulation of SNI, providing input during standard reviews, and involving academics as experts in the development of standards at the international level,” he said.

Efforts to strengthen standardization education have also begun at several universities through relevant learning activities and courses. In this context, ITB is encouraged to continue serving as one of the role models among higher education institutions in developing competencies related to standardization.

Preparing Students for Standards-Based Industries

The relationship between standardization and the professional world was a key topic in the “Standards-Based Industry” session delivered by Head of the Integrated Management System Division at PT Hartadinata Abadi Tbk, Raida Shafa Kamilah, S.Stat., M.Ak.

According to Raida, standards play an important role in ensuring product conformity while helping industries meet the demands of the global market. Standards are implemented throughout the business process chain, from the selection of raw materials and production processes to quality control and the delivery of final products to consumers. This understanding is particularly relevant for ITB students who will eventually enter a wide range of industrial sectors.

“In addition to academic competencies, students need hard skills such as a basic understanding of regulations and standards, risk-based thinking, and data analysis capabilities. At the same time, soft skills such as attention to detail, documentation skills, cross-disciplinary communication, and problem-solving are also important in implementing standards in professional settings,” she said.

Students as Informed Consumers

Another perspective on standardization was presented by Head of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance at the West Java Provincial Office of Industry and Trade, Erik Wahyu P., S.P., M.M., through the session “Young People as Agents of Smart Consumers.” He highlighted how SNI is closely connected to various aspects of students’ everyday lives.

“Even on the way to campus, wearing a helmet that complies with safety standards is part of protecting oneself. On campus, various laboratory equipment, electronic devices, and safety equipment are also closely related to the implementation of standards,” he said.

Students were encouraged to become more critical consumers by understanding whether the products they use comply with applicable standards and by recognizing their right to report products that fail to meet prevailing requirements. This perspective broadens the meaning of standardization within higher education. Students are not only future professionals, but also agents of change who can help raise public awareness of product quality, safety, and conformity.

Strengthening an Impactful Campus through a Culture of Quality

The event also demonstrated ITB’s role as an academic environment that encourages students to develop competencies relevant to global challenges. An understanding of standardization provides students with valuable preparation to become graduates capable of contributing to improvements in the quality, competitiveness, and sustainability of Indonesian industries.

^{Awarding competition.}

To conclude the event, the winners of the Student Standardization Poster Competition were announced. The competition provided students with a platform to communicate the importance of standardization through creative approaches while also increasing awareness of SNI. A declaration was also read as a commitment to implementing standardization across various aspects in the future.

“This competition has made us more aware of the regulations that apply, particularly in soy sauce production, which we chose as the subject of our competition entry. We hope that the hardware and technoware implemented in industry can continue to improve and become more reliable through the application of SNI or ISO standards,” said Nazwa and Meliana, the first-place winners of the poster competition.