ITB research largely untapped, says new rector

BANDUNG, West Java: Most research carried out by ITB students does not end up being used, newly installed Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Akhmaloka says.

"ITB has just turned into a research university, but 80 percent of the research it produces is just papers that end up in the library," Akhmaloka said Friday after being officially inaugurated as ITB rector.

He was appointed as rector during a plenary session on Nov. 23 last year, surpassing 29 other candidates.

As a consequence many people preferred using research from experts from overseas, despite the higher costs involved, Akhmaloka said.

"We are the ones who are aware of the real situation, but many prefer to hire the overseas experts, such as when the government wanted to design an earthquake-proof building."

Akmaloka said it was high time for ITB to contribute to technology development through various innovations to meet Indonesia's needs. - JP