Purwokerto, Central Java - The Electrical Engineering Study Program of Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (UNSOED), in collaboration with the Electrical Engineering Student Association (HMTE), held the 2nd series of Public Lecture themed “The Role of Engineers in the Transition Towards Sustainable Clean Energy.” The event featured speakers from industry, government, and research institutions who shared insights on the strategic role of engineers in driving the shift to sustainable energy.

The lecture was officially opened by Dr. Ir. Nurul Hidayat, S.Pt., M.Kom., Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Engineering UNSOED. In his remarks, he highlighted climate change and the depletion of fossil energy as major challenges. He encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity to learn directly from practitioners, broadening their perspectives and strengthening their knowledge base in renewable energy.

Three keynote speakers delivered their sessions. Eko Sudarmawan from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources discussed Indonesia’s journey towards Net Zero Emission 2060, emphasizing challenges such as limited infrastructure, the need for significant investment, and the importance of continuous research on green technologies.

Meanwhile, Unggung Widhiantoro, COO of IREEM and a renewable energy expert, underscored the pivotal role of engineers in designing cross-disciplinary innovations. He highlighted solutions ranging from solar power systems and wind turbines to smart grid management based on digital technologies.

Completing the discussion, I Wayan Arimbawa, Senior Manager of PLN Indonesia Power Adipala PGU, presented the potential of renewable energy in Indonesia and the critical role of power plants in supporting the transition to clean energy. He stressed that the success of energy transformation requires collaboration from all parties, including universities.

The interactive Q&A session became one of the highlights, as students actively raised questions on career prospects in the renewable energy sector, the role of campus research in supporting government policies, and the contribution of young engineers to the global energy transition.

At the closing, the speakers delivered inspirational messages: Unggung encouraged students to start building their portfolios early and to take leadership roles, Wayan urged UNSOED students to be pioneers of renewable energy for Indonesia Emas 2045, while Eko reminded the importance of energy-saving habits with a brief message: “Use electricity wisely, save energy effectively.”

This public lecture not only broadened students’ understanding of global energy issues but also strengthened the connection between academia and real-world industry practices. It is hoped that UNSOED Electrical Engineering graduates will emerge as active change agents in advancing Indonesia’s clean and sustainable energy transition.

Source: unsoed.ac.id, Friday, September 19, 2025