T

he birth of the student-made car Esemka, produced in Surakarta, Central Java, was credited to the Solo Techno Park concept that has inspired the Batam Free Trade Zone Authority (BPK FTZ) to develop a techno park aimed at bridging small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), academics and the manufacturing and electronics industries that have set up factories in Batam.

Batam BPK FTZ monitoring and industrial affairs evaluation sub-directorate head Tri Novianta Putra said on Thursday that the techno park would be a way to connect institutes of higher learning with the industrial world. The Batam Techno Park (BTP) would also showcase new technology and be a place to develop and commercialize applied technology.

“Many world class electronics companies operate in Batam. We should take advantage of this to develop human resources and empower the available institutes of higher learning,” said Novianta.

According to him, Solo Techno Park’s success in developing the Esemka car is an example of how the concept is a positive one to emulate.

Surakarta’s achievement in producing the Esemka car is attributed to the success of its SMEs in producing car components needed by the automotive industry.

“The Batam Techno Park will be established at the Batam Polytechnic campus. We will combine the SMEs, academia and industries operating in Batam. If this is proven to be a success, SMEs could apply the technology developed, which could then be accepted by the industries,” said Novianta.

According to Novianta, a number of electronics companies that operate factories in Batam have stated that they are willing to work together with Batam BPK FTZ to develop the BTP.

“The electronic companies in Batam could take advantage of the teaching laboratories at the BTP to produce something in small volumes, or as a tester, before producing them commercially,” said Novianta.

Batam State Polytechnic director Priyono Eko Sanyoto said his institute was prepared to build a teaching factory in the framework of implementing the BTP.

The concept is also in the framework of supporting engineering and accountancy programs at the polytechnic, so much so that teaching factory activities could be a benefit for the students, lecturers and SMEs in applying the technology being developed.

“Technologies that are still concepts will be produced in the teaching factory. We hope to be as successful as the popular Esemka car from Surakarta, which was born from the techno park concept,” said Eko.

According to Eko, the teaching factory will be set up in February 2013 by involving a number of other institutes, including the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).