Studium Generale ITB: Introduction to ITB Jatinangor as an Eco-Campus
JATINANGOR, itb.ac.id - To kick off the academic week, ITB organized a Studium Generale event titled 'ITB Jatinangor as a Green Campus' on August 23, 2023. The event was conducted in a blended format and led by Prof. Ir. Agus Jatnika Effendi, Ph.D., the Director of ITB Jatinangor Campus.
ITB Jatinangor has gained attention due to hosting the New Student Orientation Program (PMB) for the first time. Consequently, new students have embarked on their academic journeys at ITB Jatinangor.
The ITB Jatinangor campus spans across 47 hectares, providing ample space for a total of 2,800 students. Currently, there are approximately 5,000 active new students on this campus, necessitating changes and expansions of the university's facilities.
ITB's multi-campus system, which includes Jatinangor, aligns with the Tridharma of Higher Education, emphasizing its broader societal impact. ITB Jatinangor is committed to developing sustainable facilities under the eco-campus branding.
For instance, there are two reservoirs used for water management on the campus. These reservoirs play a vital role in water conservation and serve as a water source for both the campus and the surrounding community. During the dry season, ITB frequently releases stored water to nearby areas. Similarly, in the rainy season, the reservoirs can handle excess water flow to prevent flooding.
The implementation of the eco-campus concept is a complex undertaking involving various sustainability aspects. ITB follows parameters from evaluations conducted by The Higher Education (THE) Ranking, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UI Green Metric.
The strategy for this transformation includes short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans. The current plan focuses on improving eco-campus performance based on parameters set by THE and UI Green Metric. In the near future, ITB will prioritize meeting eco-campus infrastructure standards, integrating sustainability into the organization, and ensuring effective communication with all stakeholders. If the strategy stages are successful, ITB will work towards developing an ITB Smart Eco-Campus in the long term.
Due to the warm climate in Jatinangor, ITB is planning to install solar panels on multiple buildings to provide subsidized electricity for cooling rooms. This initiative aims to enhance the use of renewable energy on campus. Additionally, there are plans to construct an Integrated Lab with adaptability in mind to serve various purposes beyond specific study programs.
Prof. Agus emphasized that "sustainability" is the keyword and entails ensuring that future generations can experience what the current generation is enjoying. He stressed the need for an educational process for the entire campus community, especially students, encouraging them to embrace a sustainable lifestyle during their time on campus.
For example, students are encouraged to sort waste according to provided categories, considering the significant increase in the number of students this year, making waste separation a crucial task for efficient processing.
Reporter: Lukman Ali (Mechanical Engineering, 2020)
Translator: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2021)
Editor: Vera C.U.
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