The President of Republic of Indonesia, Ir.Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has shown his appreciation on the electric and hybrid cars made by the students of Yogyakarta State University (YSU). Furthermore, the President praised highly the work of the YSU’s students and expressed his content when he heard the achievements of YSU’s student on the world level.
“This is very good, I hope that we can develop this further and if there is something lacking, it could be evaluated quickly. I also hope that the development of this product could be followed up and its industrial application can be enhanced so that we can manufacture it. The institutions of higher education ought to be able to synergize with the industrial world, thus such work like this can be optimized,” Jokowi noted.
Jokowi expressed this concern when he inspected the display booth during the National Conference of 2016 Indonesian Rector Forum (29/1). The YSU’s hybrid car last year managed to land on the podium and put the Indonesian flag on the pole by becoming the overall winner in the eco-friendly car competition in South Korea. On the Japanese championship, the exact car managed to win the award of the best eco-friendly car design.
The Rector of YSU, Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab, M.Pd., M.A. accompanied Jokowi and explained the technology and the engineering behind this car. The Rector explained that the car made by YSU’s students who are enlisted in the Garuda UNY Racing Team (GURT), who, at this moment are preparing themselves to join international championship. Jokowi also appreciated the achievement of Garuda UNY Racing Team’s car in winning the title of Best Hybrid Car category on the International Student Green Car Competition (ISGCC). The achievement of YSU’s car is a remarkable one since it was the only representative from Indonesia who became the overall winner and landed the Best of the Best award on the competition held in Songsan-Myun Hwasung-si Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea, last year. Best wishes were also commended to the YSU’s students as the President walked away from the exhibition area. (Rachmat)
