However, the performance of logistic in Indonesia is still low, seen from logistics performance index (LPI) that does not move from the 63rd position in 2016. “We are still far behind Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore who respectively sits on 45th, 32nd, and 5th,” said Dr. Miming.

For that reason, ITB through the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI) tie a partnership with Shipping and Transport College (STC), Netherlands and sponsored by Nuffic Netherlands. This partnership has long been tied between ITB and STC to support acceleration in development of logistics system in Indonesia. The seminar organized by lecturers and assistants at Laboratory for Planning and Optimization of Industrial System (LPOSI) is a part of the partnership.

Dr. Yosi Agustina Hidayat, the chair of the committee, said that intensive development of logistics must involve three parties, namely professionals, government, and higher education. These three parties are addressed in the seminar. Professionals are represented by businessperson in the business, who could not operate without the support of government as regulator who manage labor issues. As the link, higher education should prepare capable human resources through curriculum development and education in logistics.

Women and Automation

First session of the seminar presented three women who have been involved in logistics. Regarding labor market, the main highlight is gender equality. Albert Bos of STC during his opening remark said that female laborers in logistics are paid 20% less than their male counterparts. In today’s modern society, the inequality is shocking. The main factor that decide career success should be professionalism alone without gender discrimination.

On the first turn, Eka Lorena Sari Surbakti explained that logistic is indeed associated as a male dominated field. When she became the head of land transport owner organization (Organda), women who are active in the organization are only a few. Eka, who is also a successful businesswoman in transportation and cargo added that the small number of women involved is inseparable with the masculine image of logistics. Many think that what logistics need is ‘thick-skinned people’. This indirectly reduce the interest for women to have a career in this field.

However, in her opinion, women have natural competitiveness, one of which is more attention to detail. Similar opinion was expressed by Lamiaa Bennis of World Bank. This highly experienced woman believes that in terms of communication, women is much more persuasive compared to men. Since logistics is a business that involves many parties, this communication skill is very valuable. Considering female logistics laborers in Indonesia are below 15%, opportunities are wide open.

Hafida Fahmiasari also has similar opinion. In her young age, this recipient of Master’s degree from TU Delft often finds herself as the sole woman in various ports development projects she handled. In fact, gender should not have any effect on worker’s performance in logistics. Hafida said that in addition to communication, another skill required to succeed in logistics is writing ability.

In line with the explanation on the first session, Rene Meeuws of STC said that development of logistics laborers in Indonesia is necessary. Logistics is a fast growing field, however the capability of its laborers is poor, especially regarding analysis and problem solving. She calculates, no less than twenty thousand operators and supervisors are required in the industry, but the capacity of higher education to produce quality laborers is still very small.

In addition to the fact that not many higher education provide education in logistics, interest from high school students is also minimal, perhaps related to the impression of logistics as repetitive and boring job. Hence, automation is required to attract more the interest of the best human resources. For example, when transportation technology was introduced in Europe, the number of female drivers increased significantly. With the increasing female drivers, male drivers took many positive value from their colleagues. One of them is a more courteous approach in interaction with customers.

Support from Higher Education

Development of logistics will never complete without the role of higher education. This was discussed in the last session which was addressed by Andi Cakravastia and Tarkan Tan. Both are associate professors, respectively from ITB and TU Eindhoven.

Andi argued that logistics higher education in Indonesia should not be separated from logistics body of knowledge that can be taken from various international institutions one of which is the Logistics Management Council. To produce excellent graduates, students should be provided with basic knowledge in statistics, mathematics, and data analysis. Given that logistics is currently inseparable from online technology, courses related to information system and technology is required.

Tarkan focused more on the problem of lecturing. This lecturer who has been elected twice as the best lecturer in his campus highlighted that students should constantly be challenged, and thus interest will arise. For example, in TU Eindhoven, students are encouraged to take academic exchange with university abroad. Moreover, students’ research capability is maintained. Students are expected to get early contact with industry since their early year so that research statement is defined well since the beginning of conducting thesis.

Contributor: Dr. Yosi Agustina Hidayat