BALIKPAPAN – The Faculty of Sustainable Development at the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (FPB ITK) officially established the Faculty of Sustainable Development Alumni Association of the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (IKA FPB ITK) through a deliberative meeting held on October 3, 2026. The meeting carried the theme “Building a Sustainable Alumni Organization.” During the meeting, Deshinta Aulia Saharani, S.T., an alumna of the Environmental Engineering Study Program, was elected as the first chairperson of IKA FPB ITK.

The event was attended by the Dean of FPB ITK, Ir. Alamsyah, S.T., M.T.; Vice Dean of FPB for Finance and General Affairs, Dr. Eng. Ir. Arief Hidayat, S.T., M.S.P., M.T., IPM.; Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Planning, Mohtana Kharisma Kadri, S.T., M.Eng.; Advisor for Character Development, Student Organizations, and Interests and Talents, Muhamad Nur Ibnu Luthfi Saud, S.T., M.T.; and Advisor for Reasoning, Academic Development, and Entrepreneurship, Afif Taufiqul Hakim, S.T., M.Sc.

Representatives of the FPB ITK Student Executive Board (BEM FPB ITK) and dozens of alumni from various study programs within FPB ITK also participated in the event, both in person and online.

The establishment of IKA FPB ITK was driven by the need for a dedicated platform to bring together alumni amid the faculty's continued development. FPB ITK currently oversees 10 study programs, producing hundreds of graduates during each graduation period. The association is expected to strengthen relationships among alumni while creating opportunities for them to contribute to the faculty's development and support future generations of students.

The Dean of FPB ITK, Ir. Alamsyah, S.T., M.T., stated that establishing the alumni association was an important step in addressing graduates' needs and encouraging sustainable contributions to the institution.

“The initiative to establish IKA FPB ITK stems from the faculty's needs and development. FPB currently comprises 10 study programs, with hundreds of graduates in each graduation period. IKA FPB ITK is expected to serve as a platform for all these alumni. Through their contributions, even if they begin with simple initiatives, we hope to create a positive impact for future alumni. If we start on the right footing, God willing, the organization will continue to grow in a positive direction,” he said.

He also expressed his hope that the establishment of IKA FPB ITK would strengthen synergy between alumni and the faculty, generating benefits for education and the wider community, particularly in Balikpapan. Such collaboration is also expected to support students' competency development, both in soft skills and hard skills, which are essential for entering the workforce and navigating future challenges.

The organizing committee also invited Audi Rajid Faturrahman, S.T., President of the Student Association of the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (PRESMA KM ITK) for the 2019–2020 period, to share his experiences regarding the role of alumni organizations and their relevance in building professional networks and expanding career opportunities in the industrial sector.

Audi explained that alumni organizations play a strategic role, particularly for recent graduates preparing to enter the workforce. In addition to serving as communication platforms and helping graduates expand their professional networks, these organizations can also help business owners and industries identify candidates who meet their workforce needs.

“Alumni organizations are very important for recent graduates because they provide a communication platform for exploring career opportunities. At the same time, these organizations make it easier for employers, business owners, and industries to find candidates who match their job requirements. They also help maintain relationships among alumni so that connections do not end with graduation. Solidarity, professionalism, collaboration, and impact are among the key elements in building a sustainable alumni association,” Audi explained.

The establishment of IKA FPB ITK marks the first step toward building a more structured and sustainable alumni network. Through collaboration among alumni, the faculty, students, and industry partners, the association is expected to become a platform for sharing experiences, expanding career opportunities, and generating meaningful contributions to education and society.