Fieldwork is an annual event organized by third-level students of Chemical Engineering, ITB. This fieldwork activity is part of the learning process which gives Chemical Engineering students the opportunity to directly see the processes that exist in chemical industries. This activity was held for 4 days, namely from the 8th to the 11th of January 2019. In this activity, 106 students along with 3 accompanying lecturers visited 3 chemical factories: PT. Nitrotama Kimia, PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VIII Jalupang Gardens, and PT. Pertamina RU VI Balongan. In addition to visits to chemical plants, participants in the 2019 Chemical Engineering Work Lecture also made a visit to the Chemical Engineering Department of Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. This work class activity is closed with tourism activities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This work class activity is expected to be able to add insight to chemical engineering students regarding chemical industries in Indonesia as well as to strengthen brotherhood between generations through a series of joint activities.
The first day of the 2019 Chemical Engineering Fieldwork was filled with a visit to PT. Multi Nitrotama Kimia (MNK) located in the Kujang Cikampek Industrial Estate area. There, students get a presentation from the company regarding a series of processes that occur. In addition to the presentation, some students also had the opportunity to tour the factory and visit the factory’s control room. The entourage of the 2019 Chemical Engineering also had the opportunity to meet with the senior level who were carrying out practical work at PT. Multi Nitrotama Kimia. Moving on from PT. MNK, the activity continued with a visit to PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VIII, Kebun Jalupang. Here, students are given the opportunity to directly see the process of making rubber from rubber trees until they are ready for sale. In addition to rubber processing technology, it is also explained that the waste processing technology starts from incineration, aeration ponds, and some solid waste treatment technologies. After the visit, the group stayed overnight in the city of Cirebon before continuing their visit to the next factory.
The fieldwork resumed on the second day, namely to PT. Pertamina RU VI Balongan. The group arrived in Balongan, precisely at Patra Ayu Building Patra Earth Complex at around 09.00 WIB. There, the group was welcomed and received an explanation of the processes in the Refinery Unit (RU) VI, Balongan. After that, students are also given the opportunity to see directly the process units in RU VI, Balongan. Balongan Refinery Unit is the youngest and most complex Refinery Unit owned by PT. Pertamina.
The series of Chemical Engineering fieldwork 2019 was followed by a trip to the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Activities in DIY began with a visit to the Chemical Engineering Department of Gadjah Mada University. During this visit, students obtained various information about the education system that applies in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Gadjah Mada University. Students are also given the opportunity to visit several laboratories in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Gadjah Mada University. Through this activity, Chemical Engineering students of ITB can establish relationships with UGM Chemical Engineering students and establish ties between universities. To close the 2019 Chemical Engineering Work Lecture, the work participants took a tour together to Prambanan Temple and Ratu Boko Temple. Not forgetting also, participants took the time to shop for souvenirs in one of the souvenir centers located on Jl. Solo. The activity ends with a free program in Yogyakarta before returning to Bandung on 11 January 2019.
Overall, the 2016 Chemical Engineering fieldwork activity has been going well and has also added insight to the participants regarding the industries in Indonesia, especially in the West Java region.
