Semarang-Central Java (21/12). The Rector of Diponegoro University (Undip), Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, S.H., M.Hum., received a working visit from the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, at the Rector’s Room on the 2nd floor of the Widya Puraya Building, Undip Tembalang Campus, Semarang, Central Java, on Monday (20/12).
This working visit is in the context of reviewing transportation support infrastructure facilities on the Undip campus. This event was also attended by The Director of Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., and Director of Directorate General of Land Transportation, Drs. Budi Setiyadi, S.H., M.Sc.
Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, in his speech expressed his appreciation for the innovations that have been created by the Undip team, especially in the transportation sector, namely the Bio Smart and Safe Bus.
“I give my appreciation to the Undip Rector, the Directorate General of Higher Education, and the Directorate General of Land Transportation. The idea is a very anticipatory thought on the current situation in Indonesia, even in the whole world,” said Budi Karya Sumadi.
With the facilities available on the Bio Smart and Safe Bus, including HEPA Filter, UV-C lamp, and Nano Silver, the number of viruses or virus circulation in the bus cabin will be significantly minimized. This is very useful during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“So far, the use of HEPA Filter has only been on planes and now we Undip can create that technology,” said Budi. Furthermore, Budi reminded that this facility must be patented immediately so that it can be applied to inter-city buses in Indonesia.
In addition, Budi hoped that there will be collaboration between universities to continue to produce innovations related to transportation in Indonesia. “It will be good if several universities join forces to make electric buses with the qualifications based on the Bio Smart and Safe Bus. So each component collaborates with each other,” he said.
With the establishment of Indonesia as the Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency, the Bio Smart and Safe Bus has been projected to support the G20 event in October 2022.
“At least 10 buses will be used for G20 activities in October next year. It is a very proud achievement that we can show our competitiveness as a nation that always wants to compete,” explained the Minister of Transportation.
Undip Rector, Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, S.H., M.Hum., said that the innovation of the Bio Smart and Safe Bus was created from the Matching Fund program in collaboration with the Directorate General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. This innovation is not only used to minimize the spread of Covid-19, but is also designed to improve the quality of health.
“We are prepared to improve the quality of public health. This is what we hope for, a healthy culture that is supported by sophisticated technology. Insya Allah the quality of our health will be improved,” explained Prof. Yos.
Furthermore, Prof. Yos mentioned several innovations that Undip had created, including Zeta Green, Robotic Rehabilitation and Medical Device Innovation, Service Robots, and the Bio Smart and Safe Bus. These innovations are created to benefit the wider community.
“So everything must be useful for the people. Alhamdulillah, as a responsibility to the nation and state, these innovative products have been used by the community and people said that the devices were very helpful. Please support for further development of our researches,” explained Prof. Yos.
Meanwhile, Director of Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., also supported the innovations that have been created by Undip. He hoped that there would be further development of these innovations in industry scale.
“Congratulations to the Undip Rector and Undip team for developing this Bio Smart and Safe Bus. We really appreciate the Minister of Transportation who has set an example for sectoral Ministries to appreciate the results of innovation from universities,” explained Prof. Nizam.