The Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesian: Institut Teknologi Bandung, abbreviated as ITB) is a state, coeducational research university located in Bandung, Indonesia. Established in 1920, ITB is the oldest technology-oriented university in Indonesia.

The University prides itself on its reputation as one of the country's centers of excellence in science, technology, and art. ITB was considered the top choice among Indonesia's high school students in 2006 and has been credited as the most prestigious University in Indonesia.^[1][2]

Sukarno, the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, earned his engineering degree in civil engineering from ITB.

The university cultivates professional and social activities by supporting its students' unions, the student government councils that exist in every department. Each students' union has its own distinctly designed jacket that, among other traditions, serves as part of its member identity. There are also a number of student activity units/clubs supporting ITB student interests in rounding out their educational experience. It is not uncommon that the students and alumni are identified by the clubs to which they belong (or used to belong) at ITB, in addition to their class year and major.

The university is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia exchanging students and senior scholars.

ITB's march "Mars ITB" and hymn "Hymne ITB" were arranged by a former professor, Prof. Dr. Sudjoko Danoesoebrata.^[3]

Introduction

Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), was founded on March 2, 1959. The present ITB main campus is the site of earlier engineering schools in Indonesia. Although these institutions of higher learning had their own individual characteristics and missions, they left influence on developments leading to the establishment of ITB.

In 1920, Technische Hogeschool (TH) was established in Bandung, which for a short time, in the middle forties, became Kogyo Daigaku. Not long after the birth of the Republic of Indonesia in 1945, the campus housed the Technical Faculty (including a Fine Arts Department) of Universitas Indonesia, with the head office in Jakarta. In the early fifties, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, also part of Universitas Indonesia, was established on the campus.

In 1959, the present lnstitut Teknologi Bandung was founded by the Indonesian government as an institution of higher learning of science, technology, and fine arts, with a mission of education, research, and service to the community.

Government Decree No. 155/2000 pertaining to The Decision on ITB as Legal Enterprise (Badan Hukum) has opened a new path for ITB to become autonomous. The status of autonomy implies a freedom for the institution to manage its own business in an effective and efficient way, and to be fully responsible for the planning and implementation of all program and activity, and the quality control for the attainment of its institutional objective. The institution has also freedom in deciding their measures and taking calculated risks in facing tight competition and intense pressures.

Bandung, with a population of approximately

one and a half million, lies in the mountainous area of West Java, at an altitude of 770 meters. The ITB main campus, to the north of the town centre, and its other campuses, cover a total area of 770,000 square meters.

Academics

Organization

Admission and Selectivity

Admission to ITB is conducted exclusively through (nationwide) entrance examination. Historically ITB has been the most selective University in the nation.^[4] In 2000, the last Asiaweek survey available, ITB ranked first in Asia in student selectivity.^[5] In the 2007 and 2008 national entrance examination, ITB has the highest average score as well as the highest passing grade in the nation.^[6][7] The aggregate admission rate in 2008 was around 4%.^[6]

Quality and Reputation

Several national, regional, and global surveys have been conducted to assess the quality of universities. ITB has been among the first choice of college applicants to enter higher education.^[1][2] In a 1991 study, the top 200 high school students in the national entrance examination indicated ITB as their first choice.^[4] In a 2006 national survey to general college applicants population conducted by Koran Tempo, ITB ranked 4th in high school students' preference list of public universities.^{[8][citation needed]}

In 2000 Asiaweek's Asia's Best Science and Technology Schools survey, ITB was placed in the 21st position (lower than the 1999's rank: 15th). It was, however, ranked 1st in terms of student selectivity.^[9]

In a global survey of the Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli Symonds (THES-QS), released at 5 October 2006, ITB was placed on the 258th among other universities around the globe. In terms of web publication quality, in July 2006, Webometrics placed ITB in the 43rd position of The 100 Top Asian Universities List.^[10]

Research

Student life

The typical student life in the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) can be categorized into 4 general phases^[11]

At the first phase of the study, which occurred in the first year, the students will not yet pursue courses related to their specific majors. This so called "Tahap Pesiapan Bersama" (TPB) phase, includes general science and education courses such as calculus, physics, chemistry, languages, politics, moral studies, and other few courses that serve as an introduction to the students specific majors. To advance to the second phase, the student will need to obtain a CGPA>2, with all courses' grades of C or better.

In the second and third year, so called the "Sarjana Muda" phase, students pursue courses related to their specific major. Here, a few courses might be offered from other departments due to the needs in providing necessary foundations. For example, in the Chemical Engineering (Teknik Kimia) track, the students will be required to take the Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry classes from the Chemistry Department.

The final phase (fourth year), so called the "sarjana" phase, is the final phase of which the students pursue a more advanced courses in their related fields, and also a few classes related to introductory management and economical sciences.

The typical daily life of an ITB student, other than taking classes, includes the choice of meals on several university cafeterias. On their free time, some students choose to study in the library, while some others chooses to meet friends whom are associated with similar interests, i.e. student organizations, etc.

Notable People and Alumni

• Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia (1945-1966)
• Jusuf Habibie, the third President of Indonesia (1999-2001)
• Djoko Santoso, Exploration geophysicist/geologist, current university rector
• Onno Purbo, Indonesian social entrepreneur, pioneer of low cost information and communication technologies in Indonesia
• Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, creator of Sosrobahu construction technique
• Taufik Akbar, Indonesian astronauts
• Hartono Rekso Dharsono, the first General Secretary of ASEAN
• Pantur Silaban, Indonesian physicist in theory of relativity
• Samaun Samadikun, Indonesian scientist dedicated to development of electronics]^[12]
• Mangunwijaya, Indonesian architect, writer, and Catholic religious leader
• Joko Anwar, Indonesian film director
• Hatta Rajasa, Minister for Research and Technology (2001-2004), Minister for Transportation (2004-2007), State Secretary (2007-2009), Coordinating Minister for Economics (2009-now)
• Josephus Ignatius Gerardus Maria Drost, Indonesian education figure
• Wimar Witoelar, Indonesian public speaker; mass media columnist
• Sujiwo Tejo, Indonesian writer, painter, musician
• Herman Johannes, Indonesian professor, scientist and politician
• Ramadhan K.H., Indonesian writer and novelist;
• Bambang Hidayat, Indonesian astronomer; former vice president of International Astronomical Union
• Winardi Sutantyo, Indonesian astrophysician Supernova Explosions in Close Binary System
• Karsani Aulia, Indonesian Senior Geologist (resource: Karsani's Profile; notable petroleum expert and representing Indonesia in the United Nations Fourteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-14), 1-12 May 2006 | United Nations Headquarters, New York. Resource: CSD-14
• Wiranto Arismunandar, former Indonesian minister of education in 1998, one of the first native Indonesian professor in Mechanical Engineering.
• Karno Barkah, Indonesian aviation pioneer, recipient of the French Légion d'honneur, former President Director of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
• Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (2004-2009), Minister of Defense (2009-now)
• Purwa Caraka, Indonesian famous music composer. He is one of the best Indonesian music composer.
• Kusmayanto Kadiman, current Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia
• Betti Alisjahbana, Indonesian businesswoman, former CEO of IBM Indonesia.
• Helman Sitohang, Co-Head of Credit Suisse Asia Pacific Investment Banking Division
• Fadjroel Rachman, Indonesian activist.
• Harry Roesli, Indonesian artist and musician, best known for his uncommon lyrics and attitude.
• Arifin Panigoro, PDI-P politician, member of Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (2002), MedcoEnergi pioneer.
• Fadel Muhammad, Governor of Gorontalo (2001-2009), Minister for Maritime and Fisheries (2009-now)

Website
http://www.itb.ac.id

References