overview

The early history of PENS began in 1984. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an international cooperation agency established by the Japanese government in 1974 to assist the development of developing countries, plans to build polytechnic education in Indonesia and provide grants for polytechnic development.

These grants and collaborations from JICA were offered to several campuses, but they did not immediately accept them because they did not have enough land. In the end, the aid and grant went to the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, which was willing to provide 10 hectares of land for the construction of the polytechnic.

Before the choice was made to ITS, a discussion was initiated by the Secretary of the Director General of Higher Education at the time, Ir. Oetomo Djajanegara, with the Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering FTI ITS, Ir. Syarifuddin Machmud Syah, M.Sc., who at that time was assigned to manage the engineer acceleration program at the Directorate General of Higher Education. He told Pak Syarifuddin about JICA's plan for the construction of a polytechnic by providing a grant of 2,5 billion yen, but on the condition that the university must provide land for the construction.

Mr. Syarifuddin then conveyed to the Rector of ITS at the time, Ir. Hariono Sigit, BS. He immediately welcomed positively and was willing to accept the grant for the construction of a polytechnic at ITS by providing 10 hectares of land. He also directly appointed Pak Syarifuddin to oversee the polytechnic development plan.

Ir. Syarifuddin Machmud Shah, M.Sc.

JICA then followed up by holding a formal meeting with the ITS leadership. The JICA team, chaired by Prof. Y. Naito from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, then conducted observations and feasibility studies in 1986. The following year JICA agreed to cooperate with ITS for the construction and development of polytechnics. The approval was then followed up with the construction of a new polytechnic building as a learning facility.

In cooperation, JICA has many requirements. Mr. Syarifudin who takes care of all the fulfillment of these conditions. One of the requirements proposed by JICA is the question of building quality which must be of Japanese standard. JICA requires building construction standards for polytechnics of IDR 50 million/m², where at that time the standard price of buildings in Indonesia was still Rp. 2 million/m². Due to international assistance, the construction supervisor must be from the Provincial Government. Pak Syarifudin involved ITS Electrical Engineering lecturers to realize the construction of the polytechnic building. In addition to requiring high building quality standards, JICA also asked polytechnic graduates to be accepted by the industry. ITS Electrical Engineering alumni who work at Telkom, PLN, Electronic Stage, and others, helped by making a statement that they were willing to accept polytechnic graduates, in accordance with the applicable regulations in the company.

The next problem is the absence of lecturers. To solve this problem, several D3 Electrical lecturers were brought to the polytechnic. A total of five lecturers were seconded, namely Mohammad Nuh, Heri Mauridhy, Heny Oetami, Gatot Kusraharjo, and Siti Halimah. In addition to the five names who continue to serve as ITS electrical lecturers, new lecturers such as Son Kuswadi, Titon Dutono, and Dadet Pramadihanto are then added.

Regarding the specific field of the polytechnic itself, the Electrical Polytechnic was chosen as the development field for the polytechnic that was built. At that time, ITS had 5 faculties: FMIPA, FTI, Civil Engineering Planning, Shipping, and FNGT (Faculty of Non Degree Technology). Is Ir. Susanto, at that time served as the Dean of FNGT, was finally given the mandate to lead the Electrical Polytechnic which would soon be built.

Polytechnic of Electronics and Telecommunications (PET), 1988-1992

In 1988, the construction of the Electrical Polytechnic was finally completed. On March 15, 1988, the Japanese government, through JICA, officially gave the Indonesian government the Electrical Polytechnic campus building complete with educational equipment. Finally, on June 2, 1988 the 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, pressed the button to inaugurate the opening of this technical higher education under the name of Polytechnic Electronics and Telecommunications (PET). Since that year a new school year has started. The collaboration with JICA continues with many polytechnic lecturers being sent to various technology universities in Japan. And vice versa, sending several experts from Japan to PENS.

Ir. Susanto
Director of the First Electrical Polytechnic,
which was later called the Polytechnic of Electronics and Telecommunications (PET).

The construction of the Electrical Polytechnic was finally completed, and on June 2, 1988
The 2nd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto, pressed the button to inaugurate the opening of this technical higher education
under the name of Polytechnic Electronics and Telecommunications (PET)

As a grant provider from the Japanese government, JICA's role is very strong and attached to the development of the Electronics and Telecommunications Polytechnic (PET). Not only in the form and quality of the building, but also in the academic culture. JICA is not only limited to assisting in the physical construction of buildings and laboratories, JICA also prepares teaching staff. JICA's role is so firmly entrenched in PET, because the expert sent to continue to accompany the people on PET.

The grant assistance from JICA is comprehensive. One series of grants is not only in the form of financial support for the procurement of buildings but complete with practical equipment and laboratories. There are many stories about how strictly JICA oversees the construction of the building. The quality and building materials, cement mix, and wall thickness really must match the planned specifications.

Likewise, the quality of the table and chair furniture, which is proven up to now is still sturdy and functioning well. Donated inventory items are generally labeled with the words “From People Japan". Presumably this is to show that the grant really comes from the people of the land of the rising sun.

Front view of the first building a grant from JICA

After the building is completed, supervision does not mean it is finished. Several years later, JICA is still monitoring the donated items. Indeed, apart from hardware, software assistance also comes in the form of the presence of experts from Japan to transfer their knowledge. There are three stages given by JICA in building PET.

The first period was 1988-1989. During this period, electronics and telecommunications experts from the Tokyo Institute of Technology were brought to Surabaya. They include Dr. Osamu Makino, Mr. Inoy and Mr. Naito. They prepare basic study designs for the ideal polytechnic education concept, pass on their knowledge and skills to PET lecturers. Dr. Makino really respects and really cares and gives her energy for technology development in Indonesia, to the point that she is informally called EEPIS colleagues as the defender of Indonesia.

Dr. Osamu Makino, JICA Expert stationed by JICA in Surabaya,
who was very instrumental in preparing and assisting the development of PET

Dr. Osamu Makino from JICA gives scholarships to PENS mahasiswa students

Second period 1989-1990. During this period, it was the turn of the PET teaching staff to depart for Japan to study the methodology of polytechnic education as well as to design the syllabus, design and prepare practicum tools and learning modules.

In the third period 1990-1991, again, several lecturers were sent to Kosen, a kind of polytechnic in Japan, for the same thing.

After receiving knowledge, the lecturers then taught the first batch of PET students which consisted of 120 students. The pattern is not only PET lecturers who go to Japan. After a year of training, PET lecturers accompanied by their supervisors came to Indonesia to supervise and directly supervise and observe the implementation in the field. They live between six months to a year. Its activities are developing teaching materials and preparing and making laboratory equipment.

Many positive things can be obtained by lecturers who attend training in Japan, including the opportunity to obtain scholarships and continue their master's and doctoral studies at several universities in Japan.

EEPIS and JICA friendship tree planting, by Dr. Osamu Makino, on October 13, 2008.
As a form of PENS award for JICA which has played an important role in the history of PENS

Surabaya Electronics Polytechnic (PES), 1992-1996

In June 1991, the Minister of Education and Culture reorganized the existence of all Polytechnics, Institutes and some Universities in Indonesia. The policy made PET changed its name to the Surabaya Electronics Polytechnic (PES) in 1992.

Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Surabaya (PENS), 1996-present

Five years later, in 1996, the name of this polytechnic was again changed by the Minister of Education and Culture to the Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Surabaya (PENS). That name is still used today. The common name at that time was PENS-ITS, because it was still under the auspices of the ITS parent.

The face of the PENS campus seen from the west

JICA specifically, gave another name for the English version of EEPIS, namely Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Surabaya (EEPIS). The embedding of the name "Polytechnic Institute" in EEPIS is very special, because the term polytechnic institute is generally popularly used in the US for a polytechnic institution that provides education to undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Whereas at that time, PENS only held education at the Diploma level. It seems that the name "Polytechnic Institute", is a dream of JICA that one day EEPIS will become an educational institution that continues to develop and is able to provide education up to undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

JICA Award and Diploma IV Program

In 1997 the Director of EEPIS, Ir. Susanto, died, and was later replaced by Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, DEA., as the second Director of PENS.

Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, DEA.,
Second Director of PENS

PENS continues to grow and develop rapidly. In 1999, PENS was selected as one of the 5 best JICA partners in the world. JICA presented the JICA Award to the then Director of EEPIS, Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, as the highest award as a form of appreciation for the rapid progress of EEPIS in carrying out the JICA project.

JICA Award presentation ceremony for EEPIS on August 12, 1999

ITS Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Soegiono was accompanied by the Director of EEPIS, Dr. Ir. Mohammad Noah, along with the staff,
when receiving JICA guests from Japan

The JICA delegation continues to regularly monitor the grants they provide

Experts from JICA are observing the work of EEPIS lecturers in the laboratory

In 2002, Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh was then elected Rector of ITS. EEPIS Director was then replaced by Dr. Ir. Titon Dutono, as the Third Director of EEPIS.

Dr. Ir. Titon Dutono,
Third Director of PENS

Five years after receiving the JICA Award, in 2004, JICA came back to see what they had given almost 20 years earlier. The success of PENS in developing itself, impressed JICA with what it had been given, and subsequently made JICA willing to provide assistance for the second phase in 2004, in the form of a D4 building grant and its contents for the implementation of the Diploma IV program, which was later named the Applied Bachelor level.

So since that year, the Diploma IV level of education has also been gradually opened for study programs in Informatics Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Energy Generation Systems, and Game Technology.

Side view of the D4 PENS gedung building

JICA's second grant for PENS is in the form of building D4

In 2009, Dr. Ir. Titon Dutono was appointed as Director of Telecommunications and Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and Information. As his successor, Ir. Dadet Pramadihanto, M.Eng, Ph.D., as the Fourth Director of EEPIS.

Ir. Dadet Pramadiahanto, M.Eng., Ph.D
The Fourth Director of PENS

PENS is growing. The dream of PENS which was embedded in the name "Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Surabaya", finally came true after a long struggle. Ir. Dadet Pramadihanto, started to awaken the pent-up dream of PENS to become a polytechnic that can provide education up to the postgraduate level.

He then led the EEPIS postgraduate preparation team and appointed Aliridho Barakbah, S.Kom., Ph.D., who had just returned to PENS after completing his doctoral program in Japan, as the team coordinator.

After going through a long struggle by sending 8 proposals for the opening of an applied master's program, then in November 2012, PENS was given the mandate of an assignment by the government to organize the first applied master's program in Indonesia in the field of engineering technology.

In 2012, PENS officially opened two study programs at the applied master level, namely: (1) Master of Electrical Engineering, and (2) Master of Computer Science and Informatics.

At the same time, to support the implementation of the postgraduate program, EEPIS received a grant from the Indonesian government for the construction of a postgraduate building.

EEPIS Postgraduate Building, a grant from the Indonesian government

PENS Independence

Time keeps running. PENS continues to move to develop themselves. After 24 years of being part of ITS, PENS finally stands as an independent state university. This independence began with the issuance of the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 49/2011 dated November 21, 2011, regarding the statute of ITS, which contains, among other things, mentioning that EEPIS is no longer part of ITS.

The discourse on the separation between polytechnics from their parent institutions has existed for a long time, starting with the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0313/O/1991, regarding Polytechnic Arrangement in Universities and State Institutes. In the Appendix to the Decree, the Minister of Education and Culture appointed ITS as the Advisory Institute for the arrangement of the Surabaya Electronics Polytechnic.

Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0313/O/1991,
about Polytechnic Arrangement in State Universities and Institutes

Attachment to the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0313/O/1991,
which mentions that one of them is appointing ITS as the Advisory Institute for the arrangement of the Surabaya Electronics Polytechnic

Starting in 2012, the Director of EEPIS, Ir. Dadet Pramadihanto, M.Eng, Ph.D., began to prepare PENS as an independent institution. He tidied up the organizational structure, logos, hymns, to the ceremonial processions of the institution, as if it were an independent institution.

In 2013, PENS as an independent institution, for the first time, held a Director election. Then elected Dr. Zainal Arief, ST., MT., as the bearer of the mandate to become the Fifth Director of EEPIS.

Dr. Zainal Arief, ST., MT
The Fifth Director of PENS 

Continuing the relay of the struggle of his predecessor, Dr. Zainal Arief submitted a proposal for the Organization of Work Administration (OTK) and the PENS Statute to the Central Government, considering that in 2012/2013 PENS had to carry out new student admissions independently. The proposal eventually received a positive response.

In 2013, EEPIS was recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture as an independent institution, along with the ratification of OTK and the Statute of Independence of PENS. This independent status is legally based on the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 94 of 2014, dated 17 September 2014.

Long before independence, a transition period was carried out since 2012 with various changes. Including student status and the creation of a new statute for PENS. Students who were previously accepted by the ITS Chancellor when they accepted new students, remained as PENS-ITS students with diplomas issued by ITS.

Meanwhile, students from the class of 2012 and above are no longer ITS students but are purely PENS students.

The Relationship Between EEPIS and ITS

Even though it has become an independent institution, EEPIS still has the closeness of its noble mother, ITS. For PENS, ITS is a good teacher in terms of scientific transfer. Not a few EEPIS lecturers and alumni decided to continue their studies at ITS. On the other hand, many ITS graduates then contribute positively to EEPIS.

The linkage of the existing study programs at PENS and ITS is what actually strengthens the existing ties.

EEPIS culture regarding maintaining quality and good performance is a culture brought from ITS which is applied in its work in EEPIS. Including the values ​​of togetherness, maturity, and enthusiasm to continue learning, developing, and increasing self-capacity, are part of the learning process at EEPIS which was adopted from ITS.

PENS Continues to Grow

This is a piece of the story of PENS' journey which has now become one of the polytechnic group universities listed as a pioneer campus, which is not only known as a pioneer in the field of robotics, but also a campus that bears the title as a campus full of achievements, innovations and carrying out various breakthroughs.

Call it the applied master program, which was only well defined after the enactment of the Higher Education Law no. 12 of 2012. Explicitly mentions that polytechnics may hold master's and doctoral level education. PENS is listed as the first polytechnic to receive an assignment from the government to organize an applied master's program.

PENS is also a polytechnic resource in the field of electronics and its derivatives. Not only for Indonesia, but for the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions and even on the African continent, through the trust given by JICA to educate lecturers who provide similar education through international training programs, since 1993.

Inauguration of Third Country Training Program On Education for Computer Based Industrial Automation

PENS became the organizer of the Third Country Training Program in 2011 as a professional training for developing countries, sponsored by JICA

In the national scope, PENS has succeeded in fostering and developing several other polytechnics, such as Caltex Riau Polytechnic (PCR), Bengkalis State Polytechnic, Banyuwangi State Polytechnic, Madura State Polytechnic. Another role in the national scope is in initiating and assisting the establishment of several community academies.

Of course all that can not be separated from the vision and mission that has been proclaimed. PENS vision is: To become a center of excellence for engineering technology education in the field of emerging technology on a national and international scale. PENS also became the first polytechnic institution to obtain institutional A accreditation and was listed as the best higher education institution in Indonesia in 2015 for higher education management. In 2022, PENS was also listed in the SCIMAGO Institutionals Rankings (SIR) as the top 5 best polytechnics in Asia in the field of engineering and the best innovation campus in Indonesia.

List of PENS Direktur Director

• Susanto (1988-1997)
• Ir. Mohammad Nuh, DEA. (1997-2002)
• Ir. Titon Dutono, M.Eng. (2002-2009)
• Dadet Pramadihanto, M.Eng, Ph.D. (2009-2013)
• Dr. Zainal Arief, ST., MT. (2013-2021)
• Aliridho Barakbah, S. Kom., Ph.D. (2021-2025)

Vision
To become a center of excellence for engineering technology education in the field of emerging technologies on a national and international scale.

Mission

• Organizing education by providing a quality academic environment and atmosphere to produce graduates who are professional, open-minded, creative and have leadership qualities, who are ready to compete in the global era.
• As a national polytechnic resource, play an active role in the development and improvement of the polytechnic education system in Indonesia.
• Carry out research that is oriented towards discovery, development, combination, or integration of several pre-existing technologies, into new technologies that bring the benefit of society.
• Build and implement the values ​​of academic moral ethics and social society.