Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) continues to produce graduates who are able to adapt and make real contributions in various industries. One of them is Taufiq Kresna, an alumnus of the 2016 Mechanical Engineering study program, who is now pursuing a career at PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Regional 1 as the Assistant Manager of the Membang Muda Rubber Processing Plant.

A Miniature Indonesia on the ITK Campus

For Kresna, his time as a student at ITK was not just an academic journey, but also a meaningful life experience. He describes ITK as a "miniature Indonesia" due to the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives that colored campus life. "The ITK environment taught me to adapt to various situations. This has been very useful when I had to jump directly into the professional world, because adaptation is key," he said.

From Theory to Practice in the Industrial World

His Mechanical Engineering background at ITK turned out to be highly relevant to his current job. Kresna explained that various subjects like Fluid Mechanics, Energy Conversion Systems, and the use of CAD in designing flow processes are closely related to the rubber processing business. "The rubber processing requires a deep understanding of energy and mechanical systems, and that's where the knowledge from ITK is truly applied," he added.

Managing the Plant, Managing Challenges

As an Assistant Manager, Kresna's duties include managing the processing of SIR (Standard Indonesian Rubber) and concentrated latex products, while ensuring optimal plant performance through good governance. However, that responsibility comes with significant challenges. He explained that his work is not only about technical matters but also involves legal responsibilities, including criminal, civil, and state administrative law. In addition, he must be able to develop the competencies of his subordinates and maintain the quality of processing at the plant unit.

Skills from ITK as a Career Foundation

According to Kresna, the knowledge he gained in college is the main foundation of his career. The hard skills from Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry are crucial technical assets. Meanwhile, the soft skills developed through organizations and campus interactions serve as "lubricants" that allow him to become an adaptive engineer in the professional world.

A Message for ITK Students

At the end of his story, Kresna advised ITK students not to forget the main essence of college: building academic competence. "Prioritize your academics and hard skills to be competent in line with the degree you will achieve. But don't forget, soft skills are also very important. An adaptive culture is not something that can be trained in a matter of months, but throughout your life," he said.