Bandung – Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) is now officially led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., as Rector for the 2025-2030 period. The inauguration was conducted by the Chairman of ITB’s Board of Trustees (MWA ITB), Budi Gunadi Sadikin, during the MWA ITB Open Session held at Aula Barat, Ganesha Campus, on Monday (January 20, 2025). Prof. Tatacipta replaced Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D., who made history as ITB’s first female rector.

Budi Gunadi Sadikin expressed high hopes for Prof. Tatacipta’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of ITB continuing to produce alumni who make an impact not only in Indonesia but also across Asia and the world. “With ITB’s high-quality education, I believe more great figures will emerge, including in the field of arts,” he stated in his opening speech.

He also commended the achievements of Prof. Reini, who successfully led ITB through various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, while modernizing the campus and fostering outstanding alumni who have significantly contributed across different sectors, including government.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Tatacipta outlined his vision to transform ITB into a Fourth-Generation University, seamlessly integrating education, research, community service, entrepreneurship, and multidisciplinary innovation. “We must be prepared to face global challenges such as technological advancements, clean energy, healthcare, and environmental sustainability through science-based solutions and innovation,” he affirmed. He also emphasized the importance of an excellent academic ecosystem, supported by cutting-edge research, strategic partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This event was also attended by various prominent figures and stakeholders, including the President Director of PT. Airbus Indonesia Nusantara, Dani Adriananta; a member of the ITB Rector Election Search Committee for the 2025-2030 period, Archandra Tahar; the President Director of PT Len Industri, Bobby Rasyidin, represented by Alfian NM; and the Director of Astra International, Hamdhani Dzulkarnaen Salim. Additionally, the event was graced by the presence of the Chairperson of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dr. Ir. Hetifah Sjaifudian, MPP; the elected Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, S.E.; as well as ITB alumni, academic community members, and institutional partners.

Several other key figures also attended the inauguration ceremony, including the Minister of Health and Chairperson of ITB’s Board of Trustees (MWA ITB), Budi Gunadi Sadikin; the Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro; and the Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin. Prof. Satryo emphasized the importance of ITB’s role as a world-class university that is both excellent and independent. He expressed his hope that ITB would continue to be a pioneer in innovative and inclusive solutions to address national challenges.

Other notable attendees included the Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (PDTT RI), H. Yandri Susanto, S.Pt., M.Pd.; Intel Country Manager, Harry K. Nugraha; the elected Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, S.E.; previous and current ITB leadership for the 2020-2025 period; active and retired professors; members of ITB’s academic and administrative community, both active and retired; the families of the 2020-2025 and 2025-2030 rectors; local government representatives (Forkopimda); media representatives; leaders of state and private universities (PTN/PTS); alumni; partners; and the extended ITB family.

This inauguration marks a new chapter for ITB under the leadership of Prof. Tatacipta Dirgantara. With his vision and commitment, ITB is expected to remain at the forefront of innovation and solutions for the nation’s future.

Prof. Tatacipta Dirgantara is an alumnus of ITB, having completed both his undergraduate program (1988-1993) and master’s program (1993-1995) there. He then pursued a Doctoral degree at the Wessex Institute of Technology, UK (1995-1997), which was later transferred to Queen Mary University of London, UK (1997-2000). In addition, Prof. Tata completed his professional engineering education at ITB in 2019.

Before becoming the Rector of ITB, Prof. Tatacipta served as the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) and the Head of the Solid Mechanics and Lightweight Structures Expertise Group. Since 1994, he has also held various other roles, including Deputy Director of International Relations at ITB’s Directorate of Partnerships and International Relations (2015-2020), Secretary of the Noble Values Commission at ITB’s Professors Forum (2017-2019), Chair of the Future Science Commission at ITB’s Professors Forum (2020), Head of the Lightweight Structures Expertise Group at FTMD ITB (2019-2023), Expert Council Member of the Indonesian Engineers Association’s Mechanical Engineering Division (2024-present), Chair of the Indonesian Engineering Deans Forum (2021-present), and many more.

He has received numerous awards, including the National Transportation Figure Award from the Transportation Policy Agency of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation (2024), METRO TV’s People of the Year (2021), an award for Scientific Breakthrough Against the Pandemic as part of ITB’s Indonesia Ventilator Team (2021), the Distinguished Graduate Award from the National Resilience Institute, PPSA XXII (2019), and dozens of other achievements since 1995. To date, he has authored 98 Scopus-indexed papers, with an h-index of 13 and 821 citations, along with 172 documents on Google Scholar, an h-index of 19, and 1,337 citations.

The selection process for the ITB Rector for the 2025-2030 period began on September 4, 2024, and culminated on November 28, when the ITB Board of Trustees (MWA ITB) appointed Prof. Tatacipta Dirgantara as the Rector for the 2025-2030 term. This decision was based on the results of the Selection and Appointment Session conducted by MWA ITB in Jakarta.