Two Ministers Launch Merah Putih Electric Bus for the G20 Summit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim together with Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi officially launched the Merah Putih (Red and White) electric bus which will be used to serve the delegates and participants of the G20 Summit in Bali. The electric bus is the result of a collaboration between universities and industry.

Through the Kedaireka platform created by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology as part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program (Independent Learning Independent Campus program), the Merah Putih electric bus was jointly initiated by the Ministry of Education and PT. Railway Industry (INKA).

Nadiem appreciated the research collaboration between universities. "Merah Putih electric buses are designed by the nation's children and use the main components of research and development that have been mastered by Indonesia," said Minister Nadiem at the launch of the bus in Bali on Sunday, November 13, 2022, quoted from a press release.

The campuses involved in the research are Gajah Mada University (UGM), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), Airlangga University (Unair), and the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Denpasar. A total of 30 units of Merah Putih Electric Buses will be used during the implementation of the G20 Summit in Bali and the estimated domestic component level (TKDN) for this electric bus is 75 percent.

Budi Karya Sumadi said he felt proud that the electric buses were made by the nation's children. "The Ministry of Transportation fully supports the manufacture of Merah Putih electric buses initiated by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology of the Ministry of Education," said the Minister of Transportation.

Budi said the development of research and innovation of electric vehicles in the higher education environment is one of the implementations of President Joko Widodo's mandate in planning and developing electric vehicles in an integrated manner.

Furthermore, Budi said that with the electric bus, the Ministry of Education and Culture has contributed and taken concrete steps in strengthening and developing the research ecosystem and innovation of battery-based electric motorized vehicles.

The design of this electric bus involves Braja Elektrik Motor as a startup in the electric drivetrain field, ITS Automotive Design Ultima in the battery pack field, and NSAD UI for the Vehicle Control Unit field.

The provision of electric vehicles at the G20, said Budi, is proof that Indonesia is committed to realizing a sustainable energy transition which is one of the priority issues of the G20 Summit. "Through this Merah Putih electric bus, it will grow industry, employment, and grow the nation's independence," he said.

Meanwhile, Nadiem added that collaboration between ministries, industry, and universities is important for the sustainability of the work of the nation's children. “By continuing to strengthen collaboration, I believe the benefits of the Merah Putih electric bus can be felt by the wider community. The presence of the Merah Putih electric bus is also clear evidence that Kedaireka has accelerated the development of start-ups in the hard engineering technology field," said Nadiem.

The Role of the Kedaireka Platform and Certified Independent Study and Internship Programs

Nadiem said that through the breakthrough of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program, including the Kedaireka platform, now the barriers that have been separating universities from industry, especially in research and innovation creation, are starting to break down.

Nadiem expressed optimism that Kedaireka can accelerate the transformation of education in Indonesia as a research and innovation-based country with young engineers who are talented and ready to contribute.

"With this ongoing collaboration, I believe Kedaireka can grow a technological innovation center in Indonesia that not only promotes novelty, but also contributes to joint efforts to create a more sustainable future," he continued.

During 2021 to mid-2022, the Ministry of Education and Culture received more than 6,500 proposals and provided equivalent funding support of up to Rp13 trillion.

The development of the Merah Putih electric bus involved around 100 students who are members of the Certified Independent Study and Internship Program (MSIB). The program is also one of the flagship programs for the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka, which was launched by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

TEMPO.CO

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News