Balikpapan — The Informatics Study Program held an excursion study program titled “Informatics Goes to IKN” as a field-based learning activity for students to gain first-hand insight into the development of Nusantara Capital City (IKN). The activity provided students with an opportunity to understand the concept of a future city that integrates green urban planning, digital technology, an integrated command system, and cybersecurity.

Exploring the Smart Forest City Concept

During the activity, students received a presentation on IKN’s master plan, covering spatial planning, development phases, and the direction of smart city implementation. IKN was introduced as a city developed under the Smart Forest City concept, which emphasizes a balance between physical development, environmental sustainability, and the use of technology.

This concept includes three main approaches: Forest City, Sponge City, and Smart City. Forest City highlights the dominance of green spaces and forests, Sponge City focuses on water management through absorption areas and sustainable drainage systems, while Smart City integrates digital technology to support public services and city operations.

Visit to the Nusantara Command Center

One of the main agendas of the excursion was a visit to the Nusantara Command Center (NCC). Through this visit, students gained an overview of a data-driven city control center used to monitor various operational aspects of IKN.

The NCC plays a role in supporting data-driven decision-making, ranging from weather monitoring, air quality, water levels, regional security, traffic conditions, to construction progress. This system demonstrates how data, technology, and cross-sector coordination are essential elements in managing a modern city.

Informatics and the Role of Digital Technology

The activity also introduced students to various digital infrastructures supporting IKN, such as edge computing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, green data centers, and cybersecurity systems. These topics are highly relevant to the field of Informatics, as they relate to computer networks, AI, big data, distributed systems, and information security.

One of the participants, Akmal Falah Maulana, an Informatics student from the 2023 cohort, stated that the excursion was an important experience for students to directly observe the application of informatics in the development of a future city.

“This activity is certainly an opportunity for us to directly understand how informatics technology is applied in the development of IKN. We can see that command systems, data management, artificial intelligence, networks, and cybersecurity play a major role in supporting a smart city. This experience also motivates us to continue improving our competencies so that we can contribute to Indonesia’s digital transformation,” said Akmal.

Learning Experience Beyond the Classroom

In addition to attending presentations and visiting the Command Center, participants also joined a tour around the IKN area. Through this agenda, students were able to directly observe the development of the area and understand how IKN’s grand concept is gradually being realized.

The “Informatics Goes to IKN” excursion is expected to strengthen students’ learning experience beyond the classroom. This activity also serves as a momentum to build awareness that the field of informatics has a strategic role in supporting national development, particularly in realizing IKN as a smart, green, and sustainable city.