In pursuit of its vision to become an outstanding higher education institution actively contributing to national development by empowering the potential of Kalimantan by 2025, the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) has established a partnership with the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University, Japan. The collaboration encompasses student and academic staff exchange for research and education purposes, collaborative research, exchange of scientific and educational literature produced by each institution, joint conferences, and other activities aligned with the vision of both parties. This collaboration, initially established in late 2019, was set for a five-year term. 

Since the signing of the first agreement, the program has brought significant benefits to both ITK and Saga University. Consequently, on December 4, 2024, a memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed to extend the collaborative program between ITK and Saga University. The document was signed by Prof. Dr. Kazuya Sato, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University, and Prof. Erma Suryani, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at ITK. The signing ceremony was witnessed by ITK Rector Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Agus Rubiyanto, M.Eng.Sc., Head of the Academic and General Affairs Bureau Yuspian, Head of ITK’s Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences and Environment Jatmoko Awali S.T., M.T., Coordinator of the Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (MME) Study Program Fikan Mubarok Rohimsyah, S.T., M.Sc., as well as Prof. Masato Tominaga from Saga University’s Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, along with academic staff and students, particularly from the MME Study Program and other study programs at ITK. 

The MoA signing was preceded by a performance of traditional Kalimantan music and dance, speeches by ITK Rector and the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Saga University, followed by a group photo of the signatories and witnesses. The event continued with a series of guest lectures delivered by Prof. Dr. Kazuya Sato, Prof. Masato Tominaga, Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana, Fikan Mubarok Rohimsyah S.T., M.Sc., and Gusti Umindya Nur Tajalla, S.T., M.T. 

In his lecture, Prof. Dr. Kazuya Sato introduced Saga University, focusing on its facilities, research endeavors, and international collaborations, including those with ITK. Prof. Masato Tominaga detailed the implementation of the collaboration between Saga University and ITK, particularly through student exchange programs and joint research on electrochemical sensors. Dr. Eng. Yunita Triana shared insights about ITK's facilities and data, as well as various forms of collaboration ITK has engaged in with national and international institutions. Next, Mr. Fikan Mubarok Rohimsyah S.T., M.Sc., the MME Study Program Coordinator at ITK, elaborated on the program's details, including its history, academic staff, fields of study, and various activities and collaborations undertaken by the study program. The presentation concluded with Mrs. Gusti Umindya Nur Tajalla, S.T., M.T., who discussed an example of ongoing collaboration between Saga University and ITK, particularly in research on glucose sensors utilizing natural resources from East Kalimantan. 

After the guest lectures and lunch break, the event proceeded with a laboratory visit led by ITK’s Head of the Integrated Laboratory, Adi Mahmud Jaya Marindra, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. The visit covered ITK’s Integrated Laboratory I and II, where the Saga University team observed ongoing practical activities, including classroom experiments, research projects related to electrochemical sensors, and electronic circuit simulation at the Integrated Laboratory II. 

By continuing and expanding partnerships with various institutions both domestically and internationally, ITK is committed to advancing educational quality, enhancing the human resource potential of Kalimantan, and fostering research and exploration of Kalimantan's natural resources to strengthen and develop the region's potential, especially in East Kalimantan.