FTMD ITB and YSF Officially Launch BEYOND 150, Supporting ITB’s Transformation Toward a World-Class University
JAKARTA, ftmd.itb.ac.id – The Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), together with the Solidarity Forever Foundation (Yayasan Solidarity Forever – YSF), launched the BEYOND 150 Program on Monday (October 19, 2026) on the 12th Floor of ITB Jakarta. This program forms part of the effort to support ITB’s transformation into a 4th Generation University and achieve the target of ranking among the top 150 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings by strengthening the research ecosystem, developing postgraduate talent, and expanding academic and industrial collaborations.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the Dean of FTMD ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hermawan Judawisastra, M.Eng., followed by remarks from the Rector of ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., and the Chairman of YSF, Ir. Susilo Siswoutomo. During the proceedings, Ir. Satrio Wicaksono, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., also presented the BEYOND 150 program alongside its strategic directions for enhancing research and human resource quality within ITB.
Through BEYOND 150, FTMD ITB and YSF foster the development of a sustainable research environment, the enhancement of postgraduate student quality, and the strengthening of collaborative networks with national and international partners. Educational support through scholarships constitutes a key pillar in talent development, as reflected in the testimony session delivered by scholarship recipients Lintang Nugrahaning Mukti, a master’s (S2) scholarship recipient, and Roby Pratama Sitepu, a doctoral (S3) scholarship recipient.
Research development within this program is also geared toward increasing industrial relevance and generating scalable innovations. To explore these opportunities, the event featured a talk show on academic-industrial collaboration moderated by Novel Tjahjadi (M’91). The panel discussion brought together the Dean of FTMD ITB, Dr. Prima Kharisma from PT Pindad (Defend ID), Henry Setiawan (M’91) from PT Astra Nippon Gasket Indonesia, and Ir. Susilo Siswoutomo as Chairman of YSF.
The discussion highlighted technological development challenges in the industry, ranging from specialized engineering needs across sectors to the critical importance of ensuring research outcomes are deployable under stringent industrial requirements and regulations. The deliberation emphasized the necessity of defining research topics that are relevant, applicable, and possess viable avenues for development and commercialization.
The Dean of FTMD ITB also underscored faculty initiatives to broaden industry engagement through various ongoing programs and centers. Notably, the Center for Research and Innovation in Energy, Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainable Transportation (RIEM2TB) serves to strengthen the connection between academic expertise and industrial demands. Through BEYOND 150, these efforts are expected to advance further within a more integrated and sustainable framework.
As part of the launch, the event proceeded with the signing of a joint commitment involving representatives of the alumni community, namely Farhan Muhammad (M’99) from IAM, Putra Pradipta (PN’03) from IAP, and representatives from KAM. This signing symbolizes the commitment to solidifying alumni support and participation in driving the program forward.
Through the launch of BEYOND 150, FTMD ITB together with YSF aim to build synergy across postgraduate education, research development, scholarship support, and industrial collaboration. This program is expected to help cultivate outstanding talent, extend research impact, and reinforce FTMD ITB and ITB’s contributions to national science, technology, and industry while supporting the university’s global goals.
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