Social Affairs Minister Urges Innovative Programs for Vulnerable Groups at ITS Lecture

SURABAYA (8 March 2023) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini was present at the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) to deliver a public lecture to students and the ITS Academic Community. In a studium generale with the theme "Technology for a Better Life for National Citizens and an Increasingly Advanced Indonesia", the Minister encouraged campuses to play an active role in contributing to societal welfare through innovative programs.

"I encourage students to provide innovative works at ITS for the nation and state. Incidentally, ITS supported us in some cases," she stated in a statement to the media at the ITS Research Center Building on Wednesday (8/3).

The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) has worked with ITS on a variety of empowerment and poverty alleviation programs, with technology playing a vital role in attempts to enhance convenience, which can ultimately lead to increased welfare. Some of these include constructing fiber boats, electric trail motorbikes for delivering goods, earthquake-resistant housing, solar cells, and powerhouses, and researching the development of micro-hydro and communal stoves.

Even though it is made by ITS, the production process must take place on-site or in the immediate vicinity. The idea is for individuals to be taught so that they can build their own or repair them if they are damaged. "This is accomplished entirely through the transfer of knowledge. So, while it is not a project, it does provide community education," she explained.

In front of the students, the Minister urged them to be aware of their surroundings. They must be sensitive to the challenges faced by the community and then seek alternate solutions to these problems.

"We should generate ideas to solve problems around us. If it happens, you can fix any problem, no matter where you are," remarked the Minister of Social Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Minister appreciated the ITS team for their cooperation and hard work in carrying out the task of community empowerment. "ITS friends are also with me. I know the terrain is quite challenging, and the problems occur on a regular basis. But ITS friends accompany me sincerely," she said.

One of the ITS-related programs is the development of fiber boats in Papua. ITS and MoSA taught Papuan youths from Membrano, Asmat, and Jayapura to manufacture fiber boats. This course was taken at ITS Surabaya and Cenderawasih University in Jayapura. Fiber boats are made for fishing and transporting people and commodities.

In addition to fiber boats, MoSA and ITS delivered BangkITS Cenderawasih e-Trail electric motorbikes for transporting goods, solar cells, and building powerhouses for people in Papua.

Furthermore, ITS and MoSA are creating a tunnel system in Kusamba Village, Klungkung, Bali, to produce salt. The tunnel system can produce salt in any circumstance and weather. Meanwhile, disaster mitigation efforts include the construction and deployment of earthquake-resistant houses and Integrated Welfare Houses are carried out in Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua.

For persons with disabilities, these two institutions are collaborating to create a Braille printing machine. MoSA and ITS are also collaborating on the development of a Command Center information system that will provide services for dealing with social problems for communities across Indonesia.

For ITS's participation, MoSA gave awards to 50 alumni lecturers, employees, and students for their contributions to the MoSA empowerment program thus far.

Apart from giving awards, the Minister also received the "Dr. Angka Nitisastro" award from ITS for her contribution to the nation so far. "Mrs. Risma is extraordinary, she not only provides a project but also engages the community. If an issue arises in the future, the community can remedy it," stated ITS Chancellor Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari M.Eng.

Also present were MoSA Secretary General Harry Hikmat, Chair of the ITS Academic Senate Syafsir Akhlus, Senior Advisor to the Minister (SKM) for Communication and Mass Media Don Rozano Sigit Prakoeswa, SKM for Social Welfare for Persons in Need and Social Welfare Resource and Potential Luhur Budijarso Lulu, SKM for HR Development and Ministry Programs Suhadi Lili, SKM for Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Management Doddi Madya Judanto, Director of Financial Services Business of PT POS Haris, along with the Deputy Chancellor and ITS Academic Community.