Prof. Reini first expressed her gratitude and pride to the new students of the Doctoral Program, Master’s Program, Professional Program, and Undergraduate Program in the first semester of 2021/2022. She believes the new students are the nation's best youths. They have become part of the ITB academic community by holding the status of students.

The Rector of ITB then reminded that new students would soon begin their academic journey, a learning process guided and supervised by all lecturers and supported by competent education staff.

"The purpose of the academic journey is certainly not limited to obtaining an academic degree," said Prof. Reini in her welcoming speech. "Just as importantly is the achievement of academic competence, which includes aspects of cognitive knowledge, skill, attitude, and personality. The higher the academic degree you achieve, the higher the quality of attitude and personality formed."

In addition to the formal process, Prof. Reini hoped that new students could optimize learning outcomes by establishing interactions with fellow students, lecturers, and other parties outside the campus relevant to career prospects. These interactions will expand and enrich the learning process.

Prof. Reini then mentioned the government's policy of ‘Freedom to Learn-Independent Campus' (MBKM). This policy emphasizes the importance of 'expanding freedom' for students during the learning process on campus. This freedom expansion includes learning from courses outside the main field of study and interacting with various parties inside and outside the campus.

"The expansion of learning is expected to enrich students with multidisciplinary knowledge, in addition to knowledge in the main field of study of their choice," explained Prof. Reini. "Meanwhile, the expansion of interaction is expected to enrich students with a variety of perspectives in viewing a problem, strengthening social sensitivity and concern, and developing the ability to collaborate in answering problems."

Prof. Reini then reminded everyone about the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit Indonesia and the whole world. According to her, handling this pandemic requires togetherness, hand-in-hand efforts, and solidarity.

Various efforts have been made to deal with the pandemic, from the '3M program' (wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance) to vaccinations. The government has also established the Implementation of Community on Activity Restrictions (PPKM) to prevent the spread of the disease. She believed that everyone's participation in supporting the vaccination program and PPKM is significant for the common good.

"In the future, we hope that herd immunity will be formed soon. We are about to enter a period known as the 'New Normal'. We need to learn to be able to 'coexist' with Covid-19. There is nothing new actually because even now, we are already living side by side with several other infectious diseases," said Prof. Reini.

To close her speech, the Rector of ITB congratulated the ITB students who won the award. She conveyed her appreciation to the best students at the study program level and at the Joint Preparation Stage level. Even under challenging conditions like today, ITB can continue to achieve both at the national and international levels.

The latest achievements include being champions in the 2021 KNMIPA and the 2021 International Mathematical Competition (IMC). Prof. Reini also congratulated students for receiving an award such as Ganesha Perkasa (sports award), Ganesha Rasa (art, culture, and religion award), Ganesha Karsa (scientific and social award), Ganesha Karya (innovation award), and ITB-level outstanding student. More details can be seen in the PMB ITB 2021 book.

Translator: Zahra Annisa Fitri (Urban and Regional Planning, 2019)