Chengdu, itb.ac.id – The Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) has initiated the establishment of the Tianyou–Djuanda Excellent Engineers College in collaboration with Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU). This initiative marks a strategic milestone in strengthening international collaboration in the fields of transportation and railway engineering.

The official launch of this partnership was marked by a signing during the “Signing Ceremony for the Overseas Tianyou Railway Institutes,” held in Chengdu, China, on Friday, May 15, 2026. The agreement was signed by the Rector of ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., alongside the President of SWJTU, Prof. Dr. Yan Xuedong.

FTMD ITB serves as the main driver in pioneering this collaboration as part of its ongoing efforts to expand education, research, and human resource development in rail transportation. The event was also attended by the Dean of FTMD ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hermawan Judawisastra, M.Eng.; the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FTMD ITB, Dr. Eng. Pandji Prawisudha, S.T., M.T.; and the Program Coordinator, Yunendar Aryo Handoko, S.T., Ph.D.

As an initial step in implementing this collaboration, both institutions will launch a Master’s Double Degree program in railway engineering. This program is expected to bolster academic and research capacity while supporting talent development in the globally expanding rail transportation sector.

The name Tianyou–Djuanda is derived from two prominent historical figures in engineering and transportation from China and Indonesia. Zhan Tianyou is widely recognized as the pioneer of China’s first modern railway construction. Meanwhile, Ir. Djuanda Kartawidjaja was an Indonesian national hero and an alumnus of Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng (now ITB, Class of 1929, graduated in 1933) who played a monumental role in the history of Indonesian railways and national transportation development.

This collaboration builds upon the existing academic relationship between ITB and SWJTU, which has been established through various cooperative initiatives ranging from joint research and student exchanges to international scientific forums in science and technology.

Through this initiative, FTMD ITB reinforces its role in promoting globally-oriented engineering education while opening broader avenues for international collaboration in future transportation and infrastructure. The Tianyou–Djuanda Excellent Engineers partnership is envisioned to become a hub for developing innovative, adaptive engineers capable of addressing the challenges of sustainable transportation development on an international scale.