The Chair of the Master’s Program in Civil Engineering at Universitas Indo Global Mandiri (UIGM), Dr. Ir. Mukhlis Nahriri Bastam, S.T., M.T., IPM, ASEAN Eng., was officially inducted into the executive board of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) for the South Sumatra Region for the 2026–2029 term at the Ballroom of the Swarna Dwipa Hotel in Palembang, Wednesday (September 30, 2026).
The inauguration ceremony, which also served as a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), addressed the role of the Master Plan for the Road Traffic and Transportation Network (LLAJ) in realizing integrated and sustainable mass transit, as well as the transition from fossil-fuel vehicles to electric cars in South Sumatra. “This forum brings together government officials, academics, practitioners, business leaders, and transportation operators,” he said.
The South Sumatra Provincial Transportation Agency emphasized the importance of a safe, comfortable, efficient, and integrated transportation system to make it easy for the public to switch between modes of transportation.
The forum also highlighted the transition to electric vehicles, which requires readiness in infrastructure, charging networks, regulations, financing, battery management, and energy management.
“Electric vehicles aren’t just about replacing the engine; there’s a vast ecosystem that must be prepared first,” he said.
MTI Sumsel is a professional organization that brings together academics, experts, practitioners, bureaucrats, and transportation advocates.
This collaboration is seen as aligning with the academic focus of the Master’s program in Civil Engineering at Universitas IGM, ranging from transportation engineering and modeling to infrastructure management and data-driven policy. This partnership opens opportunities for research collaboration, community service, and real-world case-based learning.
“Good policy stems from data, and we can prepare that data through academic research,” he concluded. (andhiko ta)
