Until now there is no similar study program in universities in Indonesia. This is due to the scientific characteristics of nanotechnology itself as a branch of science that is at the forefront and is still developing rapidly so that it does not yet have a scientific form and structure that is agreed upon in its formal delivery. Therefore, efforts to establish a study program in the field of nanotechnology require originality and expertise related to scientific philosophy and its applications, as well as supporting facilities that are not cheap. Therefore, not all universities in Indonesia have the capacity and confidence to establish nanotechnology study programs. So far, only ITB has the capacity and track record to be able to answer challenges and become a pioneer in this field.
As a field that focuses on the manipulation of objects at the atomic and molecular scale, research related to nanotechnology in Indonesia can be found in various universities that have related study programs, such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering and Physics Engineering. Meanwhile, in terms of teaching, the delivery of knowledge related to nanotechnology can be found partially based on the scientific point of view of each study program in the form of elective courses at the end of undergraduate or postgraduate programs. When viewed from the needs of the field of science, once again only ITB has a complete study program to support the establishment of a nanotechnology study program. The existence of a nanotechnology study program overcomes weaknesses in the delivery of nanotechnology knowledge by teaching it in a structured, comprehensive and integral way.
The Nano Technology Study Program which will be held by ITB emphasizes its multidisciplinary character with the presence of lecturers and researchers from various related study programs. Nanotechnology knowledge is taught starting from its philosophical basis, namely an emphasis on size effects (size effect) which are based on surface/intersurface and quantum phenomena. This becomes the basis of thinking and a universal point of view in various technological applications in the fields of materials (physics/chemistry), biology and pharmaceuticals.
At the next level, three tools are given to develop nanotechnology, namely nanomaterial processing technology, computational nanomaterial design and nanomaterial characterization technology. All this knowledge is then implemented in the fields of nanomaterials, nanobiology, nanomedicine, and nanodevice to produce new discoveries in the form of theories and various innovative products used in solving Indonesian problems.
Integrally based on the needs, functions and advantages of establishing the Nano Technology Masters and Doctoral Study Program at the Bandung Institute of Technology can be illustrated schematically in Figure 9. Indonesia as a large nation, full of unique and diverse cultures and cultures coupled with its large population will triggers a unique demand that must be met for the survival of the nation. Solving this nation's problems is not easy, forcing the application of nanotechnology which then triggers the holding of Masters and Doctoral Study Programs in Nanotechnology at the Bandung Institute of Technology. The implementation of this new study program was made possible thanks to ITB's readiness in the form of a research track record, researchers and research teams, research facilities and the existence of supporting study programs as the scientific parent of nanotechnology.
In an effort to solve the nation's problems by meeting unique demands, the Nano Technology Masters and Doctoral Study Program will contribute to research on 4 main research topics, namely: nanomaterials, nanomedicine , nanobiology and nanodevice. These four main research topics will then be applied to various research works and innovations that cover the nation's four main problems, namely the need for energy, food, defense and health, along with cultural and cultural content, which makes this problem unique to the Indonesian nation. and can only be resolved by the Indonesian people.
Potential to Achieve Excellence (Excellence)
The Nano Technology Masters and Doctoral Study Program is a study program that involves cross-disciplinary (multidisciplinary) studies. This cross-disciplinary postgraduate study program is the first time it has been held at the Bandung Institute of Technology, which integrates the fields of basic science (physics, chemistry, biology), pharmacy and medicine, and engineering with the aim of producing superior and qualified graduates both theoretically and practically in areas that support present and future life. In addition, education and research in the field of nanotechnology will become the mainstay of technology in the future to support the development of quality and superior products, based on the emergence of unique and superior properties if the size of a material is on the nanometer scale. Research in the field of nanotechnology that is integrated across disciplines will produce solid and innovative outputs that have the potential for patents and competitive publications to be published in reputable international journals. Therefore, the holding of ITB Nano Technology Masters and Doctoral Study Programs is very crucial in supporting the development of industry and research at ITB by producing quality graduates with multidisciplinary backgrounds.
The potential advantages of cross-disciplinary research collaboration have been demonstrated by the performance of ITB lecturers and researchers who are members of the ITB Research Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (PPNN), in the form of various joint studies whose results have resulted in several patents and publications in various reputable international journals. . If you look at the publications alone, this cross-disciplinary research collaboration had started long before the PPNN building was established, namely since 2011 when PPNN as an organization had been formed but all facilities were still in the planning process. Until now the number of publications with PPNN affiliation that have been produced jointly has reached 178 articles with 32 of them having Q1 or Q2 quality, a proud achievement. Another advantage of this multidisciplinary collaboration is networking with industry, where PPNN offers solutions to existing problems. This is mainly through various downstream approaches (end pipe), although this does not cover various other solutions, for example through product substitution or industrial processes that are cheaper and more efficient.
PPNN research results also have industrialization prospects for solving various problems of the nation in the future, such as the development of nanocatalysts, membrane technology for clean water production, nanosensors, nanomedicine, solar cells, as well as various postharvest processes, for example controlling fruit ripening (delay ripening). The long history of PPNN development from the stages of planning, development, program implementation, to the formation of the Nano Technology study program which is always accompanied by uninterrupted research collaboration between the lecturers and the associated researchers makes cross-disciplinary research an ingrained culture. This culture is one of the advantages of the Nano Technology Masters and Doctoral Study Program which is intrinsic in nature and is not raised by force, but emerges out of necessity in competition.