According to the Rector of ITB Prof. Reini, the 2022 Excellent Research Culture Event celebrates people’s love, honesty, passion, and milestones in science. ITB itself upholds its education in terms of quality, affordability, and accountability.

"Striving for excellence can begin in small communities, on a scale of laboratories or faculties,” she said. “It also reflects how we interact with our peers. In universities, we are standing at the forefront of research culture.”

Following the culture of scientific research is a huge task. No practice is specifically assigned to one university; each discipline has its own culture. Thus, she encouraged all institutions and study fields to grow in their ways while nurturing one another.

To establish a culture of scientific excellence, Prof. Reini explained that one can start with their initial knowledge. They can then practice their knowledge in real life and continue to do so despite being unable to see the finish line.

At the 2022 Excellent Research Culture Event, The office of Vice Rector for Research and Innovation of ITB (VRRI) displayed 65 posters describing the research, community service, and innovation accomplished. VRRI ITB also awarded 10 young scholars with the most publications in Q1 (quartile 1) of 2019 -2022, hoping to inspire others to be more productive in their research.

These 10 awardees are Dr. Ir. Grandprix T. M. Kadja, S.Si., M.Si. (FMNS), Dr.Eng. Muhammad Iqbal, S.T., M.T. (FIT), Adhitya G. Saputro, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. (FIT), Dr. Ir. Khoiruddin, S.T., M.T. (FIT), Afriyanti Sumboja, Ph.D. (FMAE), Dr.Eng. M. Haris Mahyuddin, S.T. (FIT), Dr.rer.nat. David P. Sahara S.T., M.T. (FMPE), Prawira F. Belgiawan, S.T., M. Eng., Ph.D. (SBM), Dr. Shindy Rosalia, S.T., M.T. (FMPE) and Rizki A. Mangkuto, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. (FIT).

Research culture in general can be interpreted as scientific culture because scientific activities are closely related to research. Research itself is an essential element with four underlying factors, with the first being an important key that determines the capacity, capability, and function of universities.

Secondly, research is the "intellectual lifeblood" of all scholars, determining the progress and update of wisdom. It is also a guide to learning and teaching as part of the democratization movement of knowledge.

Lastly, research is the foundation for invention and innovation, supporting the contribution of universities to society. In the research/entrepreneurial university model, the interactions between lecturers and students are supports that reinforce the scientific culture to develop new knowledge and add value to various inventions and innovations.

Prof. Ir. I Gede Wenten, M.Sc., Ph.D., the Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, added that improving the culture of academic research can be initiated with the global changes done by universities, from teaching to research and entrepreneurship. Currently, ITB is moving towards being an entrepreneurial university.

According to him, strengthening scientific excellence will be the foundation for the national development of science and technology. One of the steps carried out by ITB is raising the quality of scientific journals. The total number of Q1 publications in 2020 is 359. On the other hand, there are 454 articles published in 2021 and 344 in 2022 (until August 9). This trend will increase by approximately 600 articles.

In 2022, two ITB journals achieved the highest impact factor (72,807) globally in the field of science, namely MIT and The University of Queensland. In addition, ITB is able to be on par and collaborate with top global universities to create their published journals. ITB also applies its research culture in community services and classifies its operation as five rings: Bandung (ring 1), West Java (ring 2), Java Island (ring 3), regions outside Java (ring 4), and regions that are either remote or located at the borders of the country (ring 5).

"Art is essential in the progress of scientific culture. Through the Art and Technology Dialogue program, the development of the arts can focus on its aesthetic values, natural wisdom, and cultural agents," he elaborated.

The commencement of ITB Talks was attended by the Head of ITB Institute for Research and Community Services Dr. Yuli S. Indartono, Head of ITB Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Ir. Joko Sarwono, Ph.D., Head of ITB Institute for Science and Technology Development Prof. Taufan Marhaendrajana, and Head of the Excellent Research Culture Team, Prof. Bambang Riyanto. The session continued with the talk show that interviewed some of the top 10 scholars of Q1 publications: Dr.rer.nat. David P. Sahara S.T., M.T. (FMPE), Dr. Ir. Khoiruddin, S.T., M.T., (FIT) Afriyanti Sumboja, Ph.D., (FMAE), Dr. Magdalena L. Situmorang (SITH), and Dr.Eng. M. Haris Mahyuddin, S.T. (FIT).

Reporter: Adi Permana
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)