Honorable,
Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia,
Leaders and Members of the ITB Board of Trustees,
Leaders and Members of the ITB Academic Senate,
Distinguished Professors of ITB,
Rectors and Senior Figures of ITB,
Vice Rectors, Deans, Unit Heads, Agency Heads, Executive Directors,
ITB Officials, and Heads of Expertise Groups,
Esteemed Faculty Members, Academic and Administrative Staff, Students, and Distinguished Guests,
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Greetings to all of us.
Let us express our gratitude to Allah SWT for His abundant blessings upon us all. On this bright and joyous day, we have gathered to celebrate ITB’s 66th Anniversary.
Dies Natalis Institut Teknologi Bandung adalah sebuah momen istimewa untuk merefleksikan sejarah panjang institusi kita, serta merancang masa depan ITB guna menjawab tantangan zaman.
The Dies Natalis of the Bandung Institute of Technology is a special moment to reflect on the long history of our institution and to plan for ITB’s future in responding to the challenges of the times.
Today's ITB is the result of a step-by-step development, having gone through a long historical journey since its establishment as Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng in 1920, then as Bandung Kogyo Daigaku, the Faculty of Engineering of Gadjah Mada University, Universiteit van Indonesie, and ultimately, the Bandung Institute of Technology. ITB’s long journey is also an integral part of Indonesia’s national development. Today, on its 66th anniversary since President Soekarno officially named it the Bandung Institute of Technology, ITB must remain consistent in contributing its best works and thoughts to Indonesia.
Indonesia and the world today face complex challenges that require comprehensive solutions that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Therefore, on this occasion, I invite all of us to reflect on a crucial spirit for the future of higher education, the advancement of science in Indonesia, and solutions to the nation’s multifaceted challenges—namely, the development of Transdisciplinary Studies.
As an institution transforming into an excellent and impactful Fourth Generation University (4GU), ITB can no longer rely solely on monodisciplinary or even multidisciplinary approaches. We must break down disciplinary boundaries and foster a more integrated knowledge system through Transdisciplinary Studies.
Transdisciplinary Studies go beyond merely juxtaposing various fields; they establish a new paradigm in which different disciplines synergize within a dynamic and adaptive knowledge ecosystem. This approach is essential in addressing complex issues such as climate change, global health, pandemics, food security, educational disparities, artificial intelligence, and the sustainability of national industries. I firmly believe that by developing Transdisciplinary Studies, integrating humanities, arts, design, technology, and science, ITB’s role in sustainable national development will become even more relevant.
Throughout history, ITB scholars have frequently engaged in learning beyond their initial expertise. For example, President Soekarno became an eloquent orator, a skilled linguist, and a shrewd politician. Prime Minister Djuanda, after graduating from ITB, became a high school teacher at Muhammadiyah and studied law. Through his leadership, Indonesia’s status as an archipelagic state was recognized internationally.
Thus, on one hand, witnessing how many ITB individuals have successfully mastered various disciplines reassures us that we are ready to develop Transdisciplinary Studies.
Like the wisdom of Ganesha, who was willing to break his tusk to record and produce new knowledge, ITB individuals possess the ability to set aside personal interests for a greater and nobler purpose. We all have the pioneering spirit, the perseverance, and the sharp intellect needed to buildTransdisciplinary Studies.
However, on the other hand, to successfully develop Transdisciplinary Studies. and produce contemporary knowledge, one must possess wisdom. In English, this is called intellectual humility.
Humility here does not mean lowering oneself or lacking confidence. A humble person is not hesitant to acknowledge the limitations of their knowledge and is open to admitting mistakes or uncertainties. With all due respect to my fellow ITB scholars, I am concerned about the presence of this intellectual humility.
As novelist and scholar C.S. Lewis noted, humility is not about thinking less of oneself but thinking of oneself less. It is a call to resist our thirst for personal recognition and, instead, direct our attention outward—to our colleagues and to ITB’s broader role for the nation and the world. In the language of Set Theory, we must focus on ITBc, or ITB Complement, which represents the universe excluding ITB.
I hope that our educators and students agree that we must now sow the seeds of humility as the foundation for fostering Transdisciplinary Studies. To expand our intellectual horizons, we need the ability to listen to others, the willingness to gather information from all sources, and the awareness to ensure that our prior knowledge does not constrain our thinking.
Isn't lifelong learning only possible when we recognize that our knowledge is never complete?
A humble person dares to try new things and, when they make mistakes, does not hesitate to admit them. Is this not the very wisdom that drives the scientific culture in the world of academia? Our efforts will be successful when students in our classrooms feel confident enough to attempt answering questions. I envision an academic environment across all ITB campuses that warmly supports students, encouraging them to take risks, make mistakes, and celebrate errors as the first and foremost step in learning.
In the realm of spirituality, K.H. Mustofa Bisri, or Gus Mus, wisely taught, “Angels never make mistakes. Devils are never right. Humans can be wrong or right. Therefore, we are encouraged to remind each other, not to blame each other.” Through this message, he reminds us that we cannot always be right, and conversely, those who differ from us cannot always be wrong.
In Forest Stories - 7 Tales from Far-Away Lands, there is a story about a leader troubled by the near extinction of wolves in his country. He sought the help of experts in science, technology, economics, law, and social and political sciences. Through a combination of their expertise, they successfully preserved the wolf population and restored the forest ecosystem.
However, over time, hunting resumed, threatening the wolves again. The leader then sought advice from a wise aide, who suggested involving artists, storytellers, and photographers. These creatives depicted the wolves' majesty, wrote compelling tales, and captured breathtaking images, inspiring society to actively protect the species.
This story reminds us that solving today’s complex problems requires openness to diverse expertise, even from seemingly unrelated fields. Science and technology can improve the world, but arts and humanities provide the reasons why we need a better world.
Let us join hands in building ITB as a transdisciplinary center of excellence, pioneering change and innovation for a better future.
On this occasion, I also wish to extend my congratulations to the recipients of the ITB awards. You are role models and inspirations for your fellow faculty members to continue striving for excellence.
Happy 66th Anniversary, ITB! May ITB continue to excel in creating knowledge, innovation, and solutions for the world.
Thank you.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T.
Rector of ITB