In his remark, Prof. Hermawan discussed the massive development of science and technology in recent decades. However, this development is very complex. The complexity lies in the fact that science and technology can have both good and bad impacts. Prof. Hermawan gave an analogy of an equally sharp double-edged sword.

Indonesia, undoubtedly, is also affected by the development of science and technology. Therefore, we need to ensure that the kind of science and technology development that flourish in Indonesia is in line with the national aims of improving the people's welfare and ensuring environmental sustainability. It means that no matter how much we invest our resources, money, and time to advance science and technology, we also need to balance it with character development which is in line with the belief of humans as noble beings and nature as a living environment that needs to be protected.

Prof. Hermawan said that ITB as an educational institute bears a weight but noble duty. ITB must actively contribute to the advancement of science and technology in Indonesia with the aim of leading changes toward the welfare improvement of the Indonesian nation and the world. This was in line with what is written on ITB Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs), which were formulated by the ITB Academic Senate in the form of ITB Dignity of Education, which is a form of responsibility realization to a more civilized, prosperous, and just Indonesia and humanity.

At the end of his remark, Prof. Hermawan expressed his hope that ITB can continue to play its active role. "I hope that ITB can continue to play an active role and consistently move in the direction that it has formulated: leading changes toward welfare improvement of the Indonesian nation and the world.

Reporter: Margareta Vidya Riswanti (Teknik Kimia, 2021)
Translator: Favian Aldilla R (Civil Engineering, 2019)