Bandung — The Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), continues to demonstrate its commitment to promoting international mobility for doctoral students. One concrete manifestation of this effort is the implementation of research exchange programs with leading universities around the world. Supported by ITB’s global network and FTMD’s strong academic reputation, opportunities to participate in prestigious international research programs are now increasingly accessible to students.

One inspiring story comes from Wawan Septiawan Damanik, a doctoral student in Mechanical Engineering at ITB, who is currently conducting research at Polytechnique Montréal, Canada. He is participating in the Canada–ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program, a short-term research scholarship scheme for students from ASEAN countries to pursue academic activities in Canada. Through this program, students have the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of leading professors and to expand their international academic networks.

During the period 1 September 2025 to 6 January 2026, Wawan joined the research laboratory of Prof. Fabio Cicoira at Polytechnique Montréal. Under the supervision of his FTMD advisors, Prof. Ir. Tubagus Ahmad Fauzi Soelaiman, MSME, Ph.D. and Ir. Poetro Lebdo Sambegoro, MSc, Ph.D., he is developing a research project entitled Nano-Structured Surface Engineering for Enhanced Condensation Heat Transfer and Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG).

“I am grateful for the opportunity to study in Prof. Fabio Cicoira’s lab. At the moment, I am focusing on the fundamentals of thin films and their fabrication methods. My goal is clear: when I return to ITB, I want to independently develop thin-film processes that are relevant to heat transfer research and atmospheric water harvesting in Indonesia,” said Wawan when contacted from Montréal.

He shared that the academic culture at Polytechnique Montréal, which is competitive yet collaborative, has made the learning process even more engaging. “Beyond my expectations, people here are not individualistic. They are very open to helping others, even international students like me. I have many friends from different countries and opportunities to learn about their cultures,” he explained.

For Wawan, the biggest challenge comes from the need to understand aspects of surface chemistry, which was not previously his main field within mechanical engineering. However, he believes that this interdisciplinary spirit will ultimately strengthen his research at FTMD. “I choose to keep learning and systematically catch up, because I believe this interdisciplinary approach will enrich my research,” he said enthusiastically.

During his stay in Canada, Wawan follows a structured research routine. In the first month, he studied key literature, wrote methodological notes, and prepared samples in the laboratory together with local students. Entering the second month, he began fabricating and testing samples independently, with guidance from senior students in the lab. He hopes that before returning to Indonesia, he will be able to develop his own surface design model and, if the results are satisfactory, publish the findings in an international journal.

Wawan’s story is a tangible example of FTMD ITB’s efforts to strengthen the international profile of its doctoral programs through global collaboration, joint research, and student exchanges. Support for international mobility not only enriches students’ academic experiences but also paves the way for Indonesian research contributions to gain greater recognition on the global stage.