InfoSAWIT, SURABAYA — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again affirmed its dominance in Indonesia’s palm oil research landscape. For the third consecutive year, ITS secured the highest number of research grants under the 2025 Palm Oil Research Grant (GRS) program administered by the Palm Oil Fund Management Agency (BPDP).
GRS is an annual research funding scheme covering upstream to downstream aspects of the palm oil sector, aimed at strengthening the industry while promoting sustainability. More than 100 proposals were submitted this year, but only 55 passed the rigorous selection process.
ITS emerged as the top-performing institution, with six proposals advancing to the national presentation stage and ultimately receiving funding — reinforcing the university’s role as a major driver of technological innovation for Indonesia’s palm oil industry.
ITS Director of Research and Community Service, Fadlilatul Taufany, expressed pride in the achievement. “Securing the highest number of GRS grants for three consecutive years proves our commitment to advancing impactful palm oil research,” he said on Tuesday (18/11/2025). He attributed the success to strong interdisciplinary collaboration spanning physics, mechanical engineering, informatics, geomatics, mathematics, and environmental sciences.
Among the standout proposals is a project led by physicist Dr. Lila Yuwana, who developed an electric-powered crawler cart prototype to enhance FFB transport efficiency for smallholders. From the Mechanical Engineering Department, Moch Solichin introduced a multifunctional digital twin system for intelligent monitoring of fruit ripeness and mill performance.
Informatics researcher Dr. Kelly Rossa Sungkono proposed a new production estimation model integrating multispectral satellite and camera imagery. Complementing this approach, Dr. Hepi Hapsari Handayani from Geomatics combined drone data with VOC gas sensors to more accurately predict fruit maturity.
Workplace safety also gained focus through ARECAVERSE, a safety-training metaverse concept designed by Dr. Adithya Sudiarno to support Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) compliance. Rounding out the list, mathematician Dr. Endah Rokhmati developed a palm oil management information system to improve carbon-credit calculations and data-driven insurance schemes.
The breadth of ITS proposals showcases sustained innovation aligned with industry needs while contributing to national SDGs targets in food security, clean energy, sustainable industrialization, and climate mitigation.
With this achievement, ITS continues to position itself as Indonesia’s leading hub for palm oil research — bridging science, technology, and industry in a unified innovation ecosystem. (T2)
