UNAIR NEWS – Smart city implementation is now being discussed in all parts of the world. Some steps to realize the smart city have been developed. That was the foundation of Indonesia of 2nd ASIAN Undergraduate Summit “Smart Education in Community Health”.
Indonesia Leg of 2nd ASIAN Undergraduate Summit held for six days. One of the activities was to illustrate on the smart city concept implemented in Surabaya. Nine students of National University of Singapore (NUS) and ten students of UNAIR were chosen to follow the discussion on the smart city concept in Kahuripan Hall UNAIR on Monday, June 13.
Prof. Djoko Santoso, dr., Ph.D., Sp.PD., K-GH., FINASIM., as the Vice Rector I said that with discussion, the participating students later would understand the problems in Indonesia especially Surabaya. For Prof Djoko,smart city concept in Surabaya is a continuous effort to deal with various problems on transportation, infrastructure and health. Prof. Djoko also said that various solutions implemented to solve the problems in Surabaya can be lessons for the participants.
“After this, you will learn more. I believe all of you can do more,” he said.
Attending in the event was the Head of City Planning and Development Board (Bappeko) Surabaya, Agus Imam Sonhaji. He said that smart city concept implemented in Surabaya was coming from a belief that in 2035, 70% population of the world will live in the city. He said that current problems like water and traffic congestion already made the community worried.
“We can imagine what happen if we do not start implementing smart city concept now” he said.
Similar to the Bappeko Head, Prof. Johan Silas as an expert on Planalogy said that smart city concept includes many aspects and not only about sophisticated technology. Breakthrough on health, transportation and other sectors to support the economy are important parts of smart city.
“Your ability can realize smart city. Anything, do and provide for the people who need it,” he said.
After the event, Anis Wulandari, a student of Public Health said that her participation was also part of her study so she wanted to understand more of smart city concept.
“The discussion was so enlightening, so we know what the real smart city is. Therefore we knew how to use our expertise later,” she said.
Same with Anis, Dexter Thing as a student of NUS said, besides it focused on his department, he also knew some things implemented in health sector of Surabaya brought to Singapore.
“What was presented in the discussion showed the real meaning of smart. Things implemented here in Surabaya will not directly be applied in Singapore. We will review it first so it can be appropriate there,” he said.
Met in her room, the Head of International Office and Partnership (IOP) UNAIR Dian Ekowati, Ph.D., said that this collaborative program between IOP and Directorate of Education was held to facilitate students to hone their ability towards global level. It was also an effort to realize UNAIR’s vision to be a world class university. She also added that through the event, students of UNAIR and NUS to understand smart city concept according to their own countries.
“Their smart city understanding are different. Through this event, they will know the smart city concept of Surabaya and vice versa,” she said. (*)
Author : Nuri Hermawan
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
