Depok, Tuesday (July 30, 2024). The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) inaugurated the Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro Hall after the renovation process was completely completed. The meeting room, previously known as the B101 hall, was inaugurated by the Dean of FMIPA UI Prof. Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., and Prof. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D. as representatives of the family of Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, marked by the signing of the inscription. This inauguration also marks a new milestone in welcoming the activities of the 2024/2025 New Academic Year which will begin on August 26, 2024.

Prof. Dede in his speech explained that the embedding of the great name of Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro as the name of the hall is a form of appreciation to the second Dean of FMIPA UI, who has contributed his dedication and significant contributions—both in the form of energy, ideas, and concepts, in the early days of the establishment of FMIPA UI which at that time was still called the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FIPIA) UI.

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the family of Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, for the financial assistance provided by the family to support the improvement of the quality of the hall which is one of the best facilities at FMIPA UI. As an appreciation, Prof. Dede presented a certificate of appreciation to Prof. Bambang as a representative of Prof. Soemantri’s family.

The hall with a capacity of 250 people is now equipped with the latest technology, such as a sophisticated audio-visual system and multimedia devices, which facilitate the learning and presentation process.

“Today is a very special day for FMIPA UI. Because the newly renovated and now more representative Hall will be inaugurated. We express our deepest gratitude to Prof. Soemantri’s family, who have provided a lot of assistance and support to transform the hall that witnessed important events of FMIPA UI,” said Prof. Dede.

According to him, the hall with a new, more representative face is a symbol of FMIPA UI’s commitment to creating an academic environment that supports innovation and collaboration, as well as high dedication to the advancement of science and education at FMIPA UI, of course by carrying the spirit of Prof. Soemantri in advancing FMIPA UI.

Furthermore, the Dean emphasized that the FMIPA UI Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro Hall can be used for welcoming activities for new students for the 2024/2025 Academic Year and the FMIPA UI Pre-Graduation in August.

“God willing, next month, we are ready to welcome new students this year with new enthusiasm in the Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro hall, and we can also use it for this semester’s Pre-Graduation event,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Bambang in his speech conveyed his appreciation, hopes and messages to FMIPA UI regarding the hall which now bears the name of his father who also served as the Chancellor of UI.

“We are very grateful to FMIPA UI for immortalizing the name of Prof. Soemantri as the name of one of the halls in FMIPA UI. This room is expected to not only provide benefits for the academic community, but also become a positive contribution to the development of science at the national and international levels. Hopefully this hall can be a useful place and provide inspiration for all parties who use it,” said the Minister of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2021 period.

He also said that FMIPA UI has a crucial role in leading and supporting the development of research and innovation in Indonesia. FMIPA UI, he continued, must function as the main backbone in efforts to realize the grand vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.

To achieve these goals, a commitment to developing high-quality research and leading-edge innovation is needed that can address global challenges and spur technological progress.

“A close pentahelix collaboration in creating innovative solutions that have the potential to raise the nation’s competitiveness at the international level is also needed. With this significant contribution, Indonesia is expected to optimize the potential of human resources and technology, and create a strong foundation to achieve developed country status by 2045,” he said.

In this event, a scientific oration entitled “Between the Benefits and Risks of Chemicals”, Academic Studies of Added Value Benefits for Advanced Indonesia” was also delivered by Professor of FMIPA UI Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Budiawan.

In his speech, Prof. Budi highlighted the wealth of natural chemical sources from plants, plantations, forests, and fossil materials in Indonesia that have not been utilized optimally for the advancement of the nation due to limited knowledge and technology.

“Indonesia has abundant natural chemical resources from plants, plantations, forests, and fossil materials. However, with a large population of 281,603,800 people in 2024, this wealth has not been utilized optimally for the advancement of the nation due to limited knowledge and technology,” said the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FMIPA UI.

Chemicals, both natural and synthetic, he said, have significant benefits in various sectors such as industry, agriculture, health, mining and defense, and play an important role in environmental sustainability.

However, he also reminded that chemicals also have risks of physical-chemical, health, and environmental hazards. Therefore, proper and correct management in accordance with national guidelines and international conventions is very necessary to minimize the risk of misuse and incorrect use that have negative impacts.

“Complex future challenges such as chemical abuse, energy crisis, climate change and food security require interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches that combine science, technology, economics and society, as well as international collaboration for research and innovation,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof. Budi emphasized that higher education and innovative research are the keys to supporting the vision of “Advanced Indonesia 2045,” with a focus on developing curricula and policies that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration between disciplines to create innovative solutions and achieve global excellence.

Present at the event were, among others, the Chair of the FMIPA UI Board of Professors, Prof. Dr. Sumi Hudiyono, PWS; Chair of the Academic Senate (SA) FMIPA UI, Dra. Wellyzar Sjamsuridzal, M.Sc., Ph.D.; Secretary of SA FMIPA UI, Adi Wibowo, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.; Dean of the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc.; leaders in the FMIPA UI environment, and FMIPA UI Cooperation Partners.

Also present were the family of Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, namely the first son of Prof. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Professor of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), along with his first daughter Prof. Diantha Soemantri who is a Professor of the Faculty of Medicine (FK UI) UI, the second son Dr. Irsan Soemantri Brodjonegoro (Lecturer of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering ITB), and Daniswara Brodjonegoro, son of Prof. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D.