Jakarta – Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), has been awarded the prestigious title of National Transportation Figure 2024 during the Technical Coordination Meeting (RAKORNIS) hosted by the Transportation Policy Agency of the Ministry of Transportation on October 8, 2024. The event, themed “Innovative Transportation Policies: Addressing the Dynamics of Future Mobility and Technology,” was attended by notable academics and practitioners contributing significantly to Indonesia’s transportation sector development.

This recognition highlights Prof. Tatacipta’s contributions to the transportation sector, particularly through FTMD ITB’s initiatives. The faculty’s active role in enhancing Indonesia’s transportation quality, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, has led to significant impacts. These include human resource development through a double-degree master’s program with École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) and involvement in airline tariff studies that inform national policies.

The award serves as an acknowledgment from the Ministry of Transportation to FTMD ITB for its long-standing collaboration in research and innovation, supporting the advancement of national transportation. It is also expected to further strengthen FTMD’s commitment to making even greater contributions to the transportation sector, especially in aviation, which faces numerous challenges in an era of rapid technological advancements and evolving mobility demands.

In addition to Prof. Tatacipta, similar honors were presented to other academics and transportation practitioners for their significant roles in the sector’s development. The awards emphasize the importance of synergy between the government, academia, and practitioners in addressing the increasingly complex challenges of transportation, including climate change, urbanization, and the rise of digital technologies.

FTMD ITB has long been a strategic partner of the Ministry of Transportation in various initiatives, such as the Expert Talk: Achievements of the Air Transportation Sector 2015-2024 seminar. This seminar has become a vital forum for evaluating the air transportation sector’s achievements over the past decade, providing strategic input for stakeholders to address future challenges.