Rambu Yati Randandima, Manager of Start-Up 3S (Sumba Sustainable Solutions) contributed to this panel discussion through an example of the implementation of the use of solar power plants on Sumba Island. The solar power generation units provided in the villages provide benefits where the community becomes more productive in an effort to increase household income. For example, the availability of electricity at night provides an opportunity for housewives to be able to weave cloth and weave crafts which will later be sold so that they can increase the income of each household. In this context, the use of clean energy in the form of solar power opens up opportunities for empowering women’s craft skills in the village in the form of increasing economic income which then contributes to increasing family welfare in rural areas that are electrified by the electricity system on Sumba Island.

Panel Discussions on the theme: Capitalising on Clean Energy: Growth in Indonesia and Australia’s Green Economy
Organised by the Australian Embassy and Pattimura University as part of the #AUSSIEBANGET RoadShow 2025.

Panelists

1. Dr. Muriel Watt AM, Solar energy systems expert
2. Dr. Wulfilla Maximillian Rumaherang, Lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Study Program, UNPATTI
3. Mrs. Rambu Yati Randandima, 3S Start-Up Manager (Sumba Sustainable Solutions)

Moderator: Dr. Jonny Latuny (Head of UNPATTI International Office)

Highlights from each Panelist

1. Highlights from Dr. Muriel Watt AM

Explaining the development of the clean energy implementation roadmap in the form of a solar power generation system in Australia, as well as the challenges faced. It is explained that the implementation of clean energy in the form of utilizing sunlight using solar cells to generate electricity began in Australia in the 1980s. In this era, the use of solar energy was limited to providing electricity for communication equipment in rural areas in Australia. Entering the 1990s, the use of solar energy began to be used in homes on a small scale, then in the 2000s, it increased to a larger scale of use in homes by installing solar panels on the roof of the house.

The challenges faced in the early use of solar power generation systems in Australia for approximately 40 years were in things like providing reliable systems that could be used for a long period of time. With the availability of reliable systems, it will reduce the need for maintenance/repair processes on equipment placed in remote areas in the Australian interior, which require 3-4 days of travel to reach. Dr. Muriel emphasized that the provision of reliable systems is very important to promote the use of solar power systems for electricity supply. People will tend to choose to use systems that perform well, rarely break down, and function according to needs.

The support that Australia can provide to Indonesia in the context of utilizing Clean Energy is by providing an opportunity for Indonesia to be able to use the standardization of the solar power grid system that is already available in Australia to be adapted for use in Indonesia. This will be able to accelerate the development of Clean Energy utilization where experiences in solving challenges from the 1980s to the present can be adapted for use in Indonesia for the development of Clean Energy use.

2. Highlights from Mrs. Rambu Yati Randandima.

Mrs. Rambu contributed to this panel discussion through an example of the implementation of the use of solar power plants on Sumba Island. The solar power generation units provided in the villages provide benefits where the community becomes more productive in an effort to increase household income. For example, the availability of electricity at night provides an opportunity for housewives to be able to weave cloth and weave crafts which will later be sold so that they can increase the income of each household. In this context, the use of clean energy in the form of solar power opens up opportunities for empowering craft skills for women in the village in the form of increasing economic income which then contributes to increasing family welfare in rural areas that are electrified by the electricity system on Sumba Island.

3. Highlights Dr. Wulfilla Maximillian Rumaherang

Dr. Rumaherang gave his thoughts on the utilization of clean energy that has been carried out in the Unpatti environment, especially in the Faculty of Engineering. From an academic perspective, the curriculum / courses have been compiled with related course content such as Energy Conversion, Electrical Power Engineering, Solar Energy and others which integrally provide knowledge about clean energy / renewable energy to students during their education. Thus, it is expected that graduates have knowledge and expertise in the field of clean energy which is certainly useful for graduates to be able to pursue a career after completing higher education.

Delegation of Pattimura university which attended the forum consists of official as follows,

1. Prof. Dr. Fredy Leiwakabessy, M.Pd – Rector of Pattimura University
2. Dr. Yoisye Lopulalan, S.Pi., M.Si – Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences
3. Ir. Theodora Matrutty, M.Si – Lecturer, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences
4. Dr. Theophanny Paula Theresia Rampisela, S.Psi., M.Ed – Secretary of the International Office’

The program of Business Forum Events are as follows:

• 1. Opening Session
  a. 10.03 – 10.06: Opening remarks by Mrs. Celyanda Goeltom, Chair of Festival Indonesia Inc.
  b. 10.07 – 10.22: Keynote remarks by HE Dr. Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu, highlighting Indonesia’s potential as a strategic investment partner for Australia.
  c. 10.23 – 10.38: Keynote remarks by Dr. Riyatno, Deputy for Investment Climate Development, BKPM, explaining investment policies in Indonesia to attract Australian investors.
• 2. Discussion Session
  a. 10.45 – 11.35: Topic “Business Opportunities in Indonesia’s Tourism and Digital Technology Sectors” presented by Haryo Yudho Sedewo, followed by a discussion on investment opportunities for Australian pension funds and private funds in Indonesia by Stuart M. Rees and Steven Tirtawidjaja.
  b. 11.40 – 12.30: Session “Landscape of Indonesia’s Digital Technology and Economy” by Boni Pudjianto, Ph.D, followed by presentations from Prashil Singh from RMIT University and Marco Bardelli discussing opportunities for the Indonesian digital technology industry. Anggia Meisesari also discussed the development of telematics in various sectors.
• 3. Special Session and Closing
  a. 12.35 – 13.15: Presentation on “Investment Opportunities in Central Papua” by Dr. Ribka Haluk, as well as a discussion on doing business in Indonesia by Shiraz Engineer from Asialink Business Academy and a presentation on the Indonesia Golden Visa Programme by Agus Abdul Majid.
  b. 13.15 – 13.25: Closing remarks by Mr. Kuncoro Waseso, Indonesian Consul General to Victoria and Tasmania.

Results and Benefits of the Visit – The presence of Universitas Pattimura in this forum provides several strategic benefits, including:

1. Increasing the profile of Universitas Pattimura in the focus of investors and the international community, with the hope of opening up potential for academic and research collaboration, especially in the field of marine and fisheries.
2. Establishing Networks with Stakeholders: The delegation had the opportunity to interact directly with speakers from the government, education, and industry sectors, expanding networks for opportunities for academic and research collaboration.
3. Understanding the Investment Potential in Indonesia, especially in the fields of tourism and digital technology, which are relevant to the development of community-based tourism and the potential for the digital economy in the Maluku region.

Universitas Pattimura’s participation in the Business Forum Festival Indonesia in Melbourne has strengthened strategic relationships and potential for cross-sector collaboration. This forum provides in-depth insights into investment and development opportunities in Indonesia, especially in the tourism, digital, and technology sectors that are in line with Pattimura University’s vision in supporting sustainable development in the Maluku region.
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