Andalas University from 27th to 29th August 2015 hosted the ACIKITA International Conference on Science and Technology. The conference served as the closing event of the ACIKITA Annual Meeting, a series of seminars in different cities throughout Indonesia organised by the Aku Cinta Indonesia Kita (ACIKITA) Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focusing on education and science. Held at its campus, Andalas University’s very own Prof. Sumaryati Syukur and Prof. Abdi Dharma featured as keynote speakers among other prominent members of the academic community which included Prof. Kumar Sudesh from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof. Masa Hara from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Prof. Takeshi Naota from Osaka University, Prof. Yutaka Matsuo from Tokyo University, and Prof. Akhmaloka and Prof. Prihardi Kahar from Institut Teknologi Bandung.

Through this year’s theme of ‘Science and Technology to Support Human Living’, ACIKITA sought to disperse valuable insights through seminars carried out by renowned experts from diverse fields. In that respect, Ms Jumiarti Agus, International Head of ACIKITA, explained that her organisation particularly focuses on education as a key issue underlying many of society’s problems, thus they have taken the initiative to routinely hold education-oriented forums and conferences. Mr Afdhal Muttaqin, MSi, from Andalas University as head of the organising committee further added that through the event, students will also be able to learn more about opportunities to study abroad.

Overall, ACIKITA held seminars in 15 other cities throughout Indonesia in addition to the ACIKITA International Conference on Science and Technology at Andalas University in Padang. On top of the aforementioned benefits, these events are also expected to facilitate the establishment of new international links between esteemed scientists, educators and researchers.