BALIKPAPAN – Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) celebrated its 12th anniversary with an Open Senate Session held at the Auditorium of ITK's Integrated Laboratory Building I on Thursday (October 8, 2026). The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Dr. H. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, M.Sc., M.P.A., M.A., attended the event to deliver a scientific oration. The occasion also provided an opportunity for ITK to present its campus development needs, which received positive responses from both the central and regional governments.

The Senate Session was presided over by ITK Rector, Prof. Dr. Agus Rubiyanto, M.Eng.Sc. The event was also attended by East Kalimantan Governor Dr. H. Rudy Mas'ud, S.E., M.E., East Kalimantan Vice Governor Ir. H. Seno Aji, M.Si., members of the East Kalimantan Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), regional government officials, representatives of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri), members of the Institute's Advisory Council, as well as ITK students and staff.

In his remarks, the ITK Rector highlighted that the university's land requirements have not yet been fully met in accordance with the initial commitment. He called for support from the central and regional governments to facilitate land provision and enable further campus expansion. One of the most pressing infrastructure needs is the construction of the university's main entrance gate, which is also expected to benefit the surrounding community.

"The gate is more than just a physical structure. It is a welcoming monument for the nation's brightest talents who come to Kalimantan to pursue their education at ITK," said Prof. Agus Rubiyanto.

The Rector also emphasized the importance of the ITX consortium, a strategic collaboration among four institutes of technology: ITK, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), and Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA).

Responding to the proposal, East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas'ud expressed his support and affirmed the provincial government's readiness to oversee the construction of ITK's main entrance gate, jointly explore potential solutions, and provide budgetary support.

"Twelve years marks a significant journey. The institution may still be young, but its achievements are truly remarkable," Rudy stated. He also encouraged more young people from East Kalimantan to pursue higher education at ITK, expressing his hope that the university's student population would continue to grow beyond its current figure of approximately 9,000 students.

Scientific Oration by Coordinating Minister AHY

In his scientific oration entitled "ITK for an Advanced and Prosperous Kalimantan and Indonesia," Coordinating Minister AHY expressed his gratitude for the special invitation from ITK and appreciated the Rector's personal visit to invite him. He also affirmed his support for the East Kalimantan Governor's efforts to advance ITK's development.

AHY invited the audience to reflect on ITK's history, recalling that the university was officially inaugurated by Indonesia's sixth President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on October 6, 2014.

"We must never forget history. President SBY has always taken great pride whenever he speaks about the establishment of ITK," he remarked.

According to AHY, ITK was established on the understanding that a nation's progress depends on the quality of its human capital, technological advancement, and innovation. He highlighted that the proportion of Indonesia's workforce with a background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) stands at approximately 20%, significantly lower than Malaysia's 43.5% and China's 41%.

AHY further emphasized Kalimantan's emerging role as an economic super-hub for the Indonesian archipelago and a major laboratory for national transformation. This transformation encompasses energy development, industrial downstreaming, the green economy, the maritime economy, and the development of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN). Within this strategic framework, ITK is expected to serve as an engine of technology, innovation, and transformation for Kalimantan and Indonesia.

Addressing ITK students, AHY shared five essential qualities needed to prepare for Golden Indonesia 2045: competence, character, creativity, collaboration, and leadership.

The event concluded with the symbolic inauguration of the ITX consortium by the ITK Rector alongside the leaders of ITS and ITERA, witnessed by the East Kalimantan Governor and Coordinating Minister AHY. The inauguration marked the commitment of four institutes of technology to strengthening collaboration in education, research, and innovation to support national development.

As ITK enters its 12th year, the university reaffirms its role as a center of knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, and solutions for the advancement of Kalimantan and Indonesia.