Hope Engineering Students Easily Master Electrical Technology Airlangga Handover Electric Bus Aid To UGM

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto provided assistance for electric buses and diesel buses to UGM. (photo: ekon.go.id)

Jakarta – In the framework of a working visit to Yogyakarta, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, took the time to visit Gajah Mada University, Saturday (9/10/2021). During the visit, Airlangga handed over two large electric buses and one diesel-powered micro bus.

Airlangga himself is an alumnus of the UGM Faculty of Engineering, majoring in mechanical engineering who graduated in 1987. In his speech after handing over the aid, the General Chair of the Golkar Party reminisced about his college days at the Bulak Sumur campus.

He recalled how difficult it was in the past to learn electrically driven mechanical engineering, because it was still rare and very expensive to practice these lessons. This is different from today where electric-driven machines are very common. "Back then it was relatively difficult and difficult to find affordable work because the technology was still expensive," Airlangga recalled.

With the help of a powered bus or electric drive, it is hoped that students can learn it more easily. He also hopes that in the future the learning of electrically driven mechanical engineering can be pushed according to the target of 25 percent.

"Of course it is hoped that this will be part of the contribution according to science, because I used to study mechanical engineering, yes, we love to learn diesel engines. Now, we give electric propulsion machines," Airlangga added.

Airlangga also admitted that learning about electrical engineering was not an easy thing to do in the past. "For information, when I was in college, this lesson took so long. The electric machine used to be written in German. I finished my thesis but this course is not finished yet. So three periods," Airlangga recalled.

He hopes that current UGM students can be proactive in developing and studying electric-driven machines, which have now become a trend in the automotive world. In the midst of technological progress and disruption, it is hoped that digitalization technology will also be mastered by students well.

"Once again, we are only carrying out the orders of the chairman of the MWA (wali Amanah assembly) on assignments. Thank you," concluded Airlangga

In the event of handing over domestically produced electric cars to UGM from Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, he also accompanied Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, who also happened to be an alumni of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM in 1985, as well as Chair of the UGM Board of Trustees.

Meanwhile, UGM Chancellor, Prof. Panut Mulyono, Vice Chancellor for Cooperation and Alumni, Prof. Plenary, and the Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Assets, Prof. Bambang Agus Kironoto.