Faculty of Engineering Universitas Brawijaya (FT-UB) has always been consistent in improving the quality to achieve the vision, to be a higher education institutions that excel at international level. One of them is with intense international cooperation relations. To that end, on Tuesday (27/Sep/2016) became one historic day for the Architecture Department FTUB. The Dean, Dr. Pitojo Tri Juwono accompanied by a delegation of FTUB signed MoU between the Department of Architecture FTUB with  the Department of History of Architecture and Building Archaeology Technische Universität Wien (TUWien).

Through this MoU, Dean hopes that more FTUB community can visit TUWien in the framework of research and study excursions. Nor vice versa, as a means for TUWien to know more about the potential of vernacular architecture in Indonesia.

Currently, there are 3 UB lecturers who are studying a doctorate in Austria, one of them is Yusfan Adeputera Yusran of Department of Architecture FT-UB, while the other two are from Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Faculty of Animal Husbandry UB.

“I am optimistic about the potential of this cooperation in the future, it may be expanded in the fields of Civil Engineering and Urban & Regional Planning (PWK).” Dr. Pitojo added.

This cooperation itself is valid until the period of the next 3 years with the objective focus on joint research on architectural conservation vernaculer ex-situ and the plan will be disseminated in the form of an international conference and joint workshop.

Visiting TUWien main campus, Karlsplatz, Dean brought along his two vice dean, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Surjono and Vice Dean for Student Affairs Dr. Slamet Wahyudi. Representing related departments, Head of Architecture Master Program Prof. Antariksa, Head of Architecture Department Dr. Murti Agung Nugroho, Head of PWK

Department Dr. Abdul Wahid Hasyim, Head of Civil Engineering Department Ir. Sugeng Budio and Head of Civil Engineering Undergraduates Study Program ​​ Dr. Indradi Wijatmiko.

In this visit, the delegation was welcomed by the FTUB Vice Rector of Academic Affair TUWien Prof. Kurt Matyas, Dean of the Faculty for Architecture and Planning TUWien, Prof. Rudolf Scheuvens, Head of the Department of History of Architecture and Building Archaeology, Prof. Marina Döring-Williams, Head of the Institute of Comparative Research in Architecture, Prof. Erich Lehner, and one senior researcher, Dr. Ulrike Herbig. On this occasion, Deputy Chief of Mission (Deputy Ambassador) Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Vienna, Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard also attended.

The signing of this MoU is actually a follow-up visit of cooperation initiation of Architecture Department in April 2015 ago. In his speech, Vice Rector Matyas deliver his gratitude for this visit and expected that this cooperation can be a foundation for the next cooperation in various related fields. This statement was greeted enthusiastically by the Dean, Prof. Rudolf Scheuvens.

Prof. Erich, in his welcome speech, was very pleased with the progress of the cooperation that has existed so far and hope that the concept of open-air museum which became the forerunner of this collaboration can be implemented in Indonesia

In the evening, Prof. A Min Tjoa, National Coordinator Asea Uninet Austria and also  Head of the Software Institute and Interactive Systems TUWien, entertain delegates at a dinner at one of the typical basement restaurant in Vienna. On this occasion, Prof. Tjoa stressed the importance of this cooperation combination as a plus point for UB. Moreover currently UB perched position in the top five best universities in Indonesia. With this in the future, UB will be considered to join as the members of Asea Uninet. (Yusfan/ems/mic)