Pramoda Prabaswara Receives the 2024 Future Research Talent (FRT) Scholarship at the Australian National University.
By Syabina Er Said - Mahasiswa Teknik Dirgantara, 2020
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id — Pramoda Prabaswara, a 2021 undergraduate student in Engineering Physics at the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), has achieved a remarkable achievement by being selected as one of the recipients of the 2024 Future Research Talent (FRT) scholarship, organized by the Australian National University (ANU). This scholarship provides talented students with the opportunity to engage in research under the direct supervision of experts from ANU.
Pramoda Prabaswara, commonly known as Dida, is one of four ITB students who successfully passed the highly competitive selection process conducted directly by ANU supervisors. During the selection process, he presented a portfolio highlighting his significant contributions, including his participation in the Indonesian Wheeled Soccer Robot Contest (KRSBI-B) team and his achievement of second place in the ASHRAE competition for an IoT-based room monitoring system.
Moreover, this experience marked Dida's first time traveling by plane and visiting a foreign country. He described this moment as one of the most memorable experiences of his life.
At ANU, Dida is working under the guidance of Prof. Louis Moresi, studying fluid mechanics and heat transfer using Python. He is involved in a research project titled "Advanced Computational Modelling with Underworld3: 2D Stokes and Darcy Flow Experiments." This study addresses key questions regarding the proportional relationship between fluid velocity and pressure in porous media.
Dida also shared fascinating stories about his experience living in Canberra, including visits to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, stargazing at Mount Stromlo, and traveling around Melbourne and Sydney. He also highlighted some unique challenges he faced, such as adapting to the Australian accent and realizing that bidets are not common facilities there.
When asked about his message for other students, Dida emphasized the importance of having the courage to try, even if the pursued field is not necessarily their main passion. "Sometimes, the journey is more important than the final destination," he said during an interview at the Co-Working Space of the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) ITB. He also stressed the importance of being open to meeting new people and building connections, which proved to be a significant advantage during the FRT program.
Dida explained how experiments using the Underworld3 software provided new insights into fluid behavior in porous media. His findings have potential applications in various fields, including geophysics, environmental engineering, and disaster mitigation.
With this achievement, Dida not only brings pride to ITB but also proves that Indonesian students can compete on the international stage. This scholarship also allows for a credit conversion of 3 SKS to ITB, providing additional academic benefits.
The FRT program is an initiative by ANU to support students and academic staff from various countries in conducting collaborative research. With a total scholarship value of AUD 8,500, participants can use this funding to cover travel expenses, visa fees, insurance, accommodation, and daily necessities throughout the research program.
Reporter: Syabina Er Said (Teknik Dirgantara, 2020)
Translator: Indira Akmalia Hendri (Urban and Regional Planning, 2021)
