The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Cooperation Agreement were signed on Thursday (22/5/2025) in Meeting Room 1 of the dr. Prakosa Building at UNS. The documents were signed by UNS Vice-Rector for Planning, Cooperation, Internationalization, and Information, Prof. Irwan Trinugroho, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D.; the dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNS, Dr. Didik Gunawan Suharto, S.Sos., M.Si.; and the Director of Operations and Head of Human Resources at PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, Dhita Karunia Ashari.

Remarks from UNS and PT ThorCon Power Indonesia

In his remarks, Prof. Irwan appreciated the realization of the collaboration. “This collaboration is a shared commitment to support research and energy development. It also marks the continuation of our previous cooperation that began in 2021,” he stated.

Furthermore, Dr. Didik Gunawan Suharto, S.Sos., M.Si., the Dean of FISIP UNS, emphasized the purpose of the collaboration. He stated that the partnership aims to gather comprehensive data and insights on public perception. This collaboration includes public perception, understanding, and acceptance of Indonesia’s nuclear power plant development plan. The survey is expected to provide a valid foundation for the national atomic energy project policymaking. In addition, the survey will also support the design of effective public communication strategies to enhance public understanding and acceptance.

“This collaboration is a tangible contribution from UNS to national development grounded in scientific research. We believe that the success of nuclear power plant development depends on technological aspects and how well the public can understand and accept its benefits,” Dr. Didik added.

Moreover, Dhita, the Director of Operations and Head of Human Resources at PT ThorCon Power Indonesia mentioned the importance of social mapping in the early stages of nuclear power plant development. “Public acceptance is one of the key factors in successfully implementing nuclear power plants. Therefore, we hope this collaboration will provide deeper insights into the public’s concerns, expectations, and perspectives regarding nuclear energy,” she hoped.

The Urgency of The Collaboration

The survey will involve a multidisciplinary research team from UNS, particularly from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP). The targeted locations will focus on areas being considered as potential sites for the nuclear power plant. “We hope this survey can help mitigate the risk of resistance in the area (Bangka Belitung) where the project is planned,” Dhita added.

The collaboration indicates the shared commitment of both institutions to support a clean and sustainable energy transition in Indonesia. It also tries to prioritize public participation and understanding as key components of the development process. Besides, it aligns with the eleventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Sustainable Cities and Communities.

“We believe that the collaboration between industry and academia will accelerate the development of relevant and applicable innovations in the field of nuclear energy. UNS has outstanding research capacity and human resources,” she concluded.

Humas UNS

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“This presentation is a form of socialization and publication because the information contained in the academic manuscript is needed for the public,” Prof. Sajidan mentioned as a speaker in the national seminar on Nuclear as Environmentally-Friendly and Sustainable Energy Solution to Achieve Prosperity and Low Carbon Indonesia by 2050 in UNS Inn, Wednesday (16/3/2022).

As mentioned by Prof. Sajidan the academic manuscript supports the development of planned nuclear power allowing nuclear power plants to be accepted and well managed. Prof. Sajidan considered nuclear power as a solution to build an environmentally friendly electric source that could benefit the Indonesian people while mitigating climate change.

“Nuclear as environmentally-friendly electric power is greatly needed to achieve welfare in 2050, as a replacement for coals as primary energy and transitional energy, to achieve climate change target in realizing free-carbon emission, and as a solution for environmentally-friendly and sustainable energy source,” Prof. Sajidan explained.

Therefore, a nuclear power plant is needed to generate environmentally friendly energy that benefitting Indonesians. Humas UNS

Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
 

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The Chairman of the committee, Dr. Suryanto, S.E., M.Si., stated that the event concluded public dissemination of the result of academic studies and public acceptance of nuclear power development in Indonesia. The national seminar was opened by the Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Board (BRIN), Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko.

“Hopefully, this national seminar could provide new encouragement for the development of nuclear-based new and renewable energy as a vital support in achieving advanced Indonesian economy in the future,” Dr. Handoko stated.

The opening was followed by a remark from the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum., who explained that there are three challenges faced by Indonesia in achieving environmentally friendly energy. The first challenge is the method to provide energy using a complex method to achieve energy independence; secondly, how to generate sustainable, environmentally friendly energy while maintaining the commitment to the Paris Agreement. “And the third, how Indonesia come up with a unique energy solution according to its geographical condition considering the available natural and human resources. These challenges need to be solved to make Indonesia on par with other countries and at the forefront of energy management,” Prof. Jamal explained. Prof. Jamal also appreciated the smooth collaboration with PT ThorCon Power Indonesia and hoped that the collaboration could benefit the nation.

The following remark was delivered by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, Bob S. Effendi, who shared that the one-year collaboration has resulted in academic studies that reveal new facts on nuclear energy. He added that the study was highly comprehensive because it also discussed the economic, economic growth, and environmental issues surrounding the topic. The study also proved that nuclear energy is a safe, practical, environmentally friendly energy that provides a solution to replace the fossil energy. Bob S. Effendi also hoped that the collaboration could continue further and the dissemination of nuclear energy potential could eliminate the government’s hesitation in adopting nuclear power. “Because nuclear is a practical and low-cost solution for an energy transition that does not burden the community,” he added.

The speakers invited to the seminar are the Deputy for Human Resources, Science and Technology BRIN, Edy Giri Rachman Putra, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs UNS, Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Sajidan, M.Si., COO PT ThorCon Power Indonesia, Bob S. Effendi, and Sociology Program faculty member from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UNS, Dr. Drajat Tri Kartono, M.Si. Humas UNS

Reporter: Lina Khoirun Nisa
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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