Prof. Dr. Muhammad Dimyati, M.Sc., was inaugurated as a Permanent Professor in the field of Remote Sensing and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) on Wednesday (26/7/2023) at the Makara Art Center, UI Depok Campus. In front of the guests, Prof. Dimyati delivered his scientific oration entitled “Efficient Land Use and Land Cover Monitoring Model in Indonesia Based on Remote Sensing Data”. The inauguration ceremony was led directly by the Rector of UI, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., and broadcast virtually through the YouTube channels of the University of Indonesia and UI Television.
In her speech, Prof. Dimyati conveyed that remote sensing satellite data is increasingly varied, both in spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric resolution. Accessibility of remote sensing data by the public is also increasing, both due to its ease and availability. The development of software and hardware to process remote sensing data into information on Land Use and Land Cover Change (PLTL) is increasingly sophisticated, along with the development of the industrial revolution 4.0. Regulations and mechanisms that support the public’s ease of access to spatial data and information, such as thematic spatial information and spatial planning information have increasingly positioned the public to be involved in the spatial planning process.
Furthermore, existing regulations have enabled stakeholders, including the private sector, to participate in the spatial planning process in a participatory manner, while maintaining the principles of quality and timeliness. The development of this ecosystem has been welcomed by the public, with various participation efforts, such as participatory mapping of land use and land cover.
Therefore, guidelines for creating maps and monitoring land use and land cover that are efficient and accessible to the public are important. The goal of creating these maps is to improve public services. Prof. Dimyati conducted research to develop an efficient PLTL Monitoring model in Indonesia based on remote sensing data. The research began when Prof. Dimyati graduated from Gadjah Mada University, worked at the Ministry of Public Works, and continued until Prof. Dimyati became a lecturer in the Department of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia. The use of the PLTL model developed and initiated by Prof. Dimyati and her team, ranging from conventional digital techniques of clustering, principal component analysis, and also maximum likelihood to the most advanced, and primarily developed by utilizing GeoAI on the GEE cloud computing platform and supported by the development of ChatGPT.
This is believed and proven to increase efficiency and have good development prospects. This development further increases the availability of the most recent (up-to-date) PLTL data to support regional spatial planning monitoring and other spatial data analysis needs. This will further improve the quality and timeliness of public services, including licensing and the investment climate. As a lecturer and researcher, Prof. Dimyati hopes that the improved research ecosystem in supporting the implementation of PLTL monitoring models using GeoAI and ChatGPT support can become one of the recommended options for institutions with authority and duties in this field.
Thus, public information services, especially those related to spatial planning, will encourage ease of licensing and investment in a more appropriate, quality, and timely manner. The availability of resources in universities can be involved to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services. At the inauguration procession, the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (2014–2019) Prof. Drs. H. Mohamad Nasir, Ak., M.Sc., Ph.D.; Head of the Geospatial Information Agency Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Muh Aris Marfai, S.Si, M.Sc.; Secretary of the Directorate General of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (2015–2019) Prof. Drs. John Hendri, MS., Ph.D.; and Deputy for Development Policy of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Dr. Mego Pinandito, M.Eng. Prof. Dimyati earned her Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Geography, Gadjah Mada University in 1982.
Then, she earned a Master of Agricultural Science degree from the Laboratory of Regional Planning, Tropical Agriculture Division, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University in 1990. Still at the same campus, Prof. Dimyati earned a Doctorate in Agricultural Science in 1997. Until June 2023, Prof. Dimyati produced 125 scientific papers (KTI) in the form of books, journals, and proceedings and other writings. Of these KTI, 63 KTI were published in Scopus indexed journals. The rest were published in National Journals and popular digital and print media. Some of her scientific works, namely Potential Distribution of Skipjack Tuna Using MODIS Satellite Imagery in The Southern Waters of West Java-Banten (2022); Impact of Vegetation Density Change on Land Surface Temperature in Kuta Utara Subdistrict, Badung Regency, Bali Province (2021); and The effect of building density on land surface temperature, (Case Study: Turikale District, Maros Regency) (2020).
