UNU Jogja Lecturer Strengthens Academic Collaboration in Bantul Smart City Development

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Irwan Novianto, S.T., M.Eng., a lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Department at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), has been appointed as a member of the Bantul Smart City Council. The appointment marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between local government, academia, and industry practitioners to support Bantul Regency's digital transformation.

The Bantul Smart City Council is a strategic advisory body established by the local government to formulate, oversee, and evaluate the implementation of Smart City initiatives. In line with Indonesia's national Smart City policy, the council brings together academics and practitioners to ensure that technology-driven development is implemented in a strategic, measurable, and sustainable manner.

The council includes four representatives from academia, among them Irwan Novianto of UNU Jogja, along with two industry practitioners. The participation of academics is considered essential in providing scientific perspectives and evidence-based recommendations for technology-related policymaking.

According to Irwan, the role of academics on the Smart City Council extends beyond providing expert advice. It also involves conducting evidence-based analyses to support the development and evaluation of local government programs.

"A Smart City is not simply about adopting technology. It is about using technology effectively to address community challenges in ways that are practical, efficient, and sustainable," he said.

One of the key topics discussed by the council is optimizing the use of government data amid ongoing budget efficiency measures. During the meeting, Irwan and fellow council members emphasized the importance of integrating data systems across government sectors to improve planning processes and strengthen policy implementation.

He explained that integrated data serves as the foundation for evidence-based policymaking, particularly when addressing complex development challenges such as child stunting. Because such issues involve multiple sectors, connected and well-managed data enables governments to design more targeted and efficient interventions.

With his expertise in electrical engineering, Irwan is expected to contribute to the development of innovative Smart City solutions tailored to Bantul Regency's specific needs, ultimately enhancing the quality of public services.

M. Syamsiro, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at UNU Jogja, welcomed Irwan's appointment as a meaningful implementation of the university's commitment to the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi), particularly in community engagement and collaboration with government institutions.

"We hope that our lecturer's involvement in the Smart City Council will not only strengthen the university's academic contribution to local government but also create new opportunities for collaborative research and experiential learning for our students," said Syamsiro.

The collaboration is also expected to expand opportunities for students and faculty members, particularly from the Electrical Engineering and Informatics programs, to participate in applied research, internships, technology testing, and application development projects that generate tangible benefits for the Bantul community.

Through stronger collaboration between local government and higher education institutions, the development of Bantul's Smart City is expected to become more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable while fostering a stronger regional innovation ecosystem capable of addressing the challenges of digital transformation. [Latifah]