On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the Center for Environment, Disaster Resilience, and Sustainability (CEDRS) at President University (Presuniv), in collaboration with PT Jababeka, the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), and the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (BritCham), held a seminar titled “Modelling the Future: Complexity, Uncertainty, and the Academic Perspective.” The seminar, moderated by Ian Leonard Betts, Vice Chair of BritCham and Managing Partner of CastleAsia, and featured two speakers: Selly Veronica, ST, MT, Head of the Architecture Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Presuniv, and Dr. David Rubens, Executive Director of ISRM.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Presuniv, Dr.-Ing. Erwin Sitompul, ST, M.Sc., highlighted that complexity makes decision-making challenging, especially when many stakeholders are affected. “Bridging the gap between theory and practice, between academics, policymakers, and industries, is crucial in facing the complexity and uncertainty of modern city development. Therefore, we must always prepare the best response for any situation,” said Erwin.

Betts added that planning a model for the future is inherently risky, especially since it involves multiple parties. “Urban planning like this is a complex system, involving industrial areas with various industries, businesses, commerce, and other activities. It’s an interplay of risk, communication, and relationships,” he explained.

Rubens elaborated that to make a change, a person must possess three key elements. “They need influence, impact, and legacy. Influence is important because what they say and do can inspire others to create meaningful change. Impact means what they provide has real value, yielding practical benefits. Legacy is about wanting to leave the world a better place,” Rubens explained at length.

Rubens also emphasized the privilege of Presuniv students who attended the seminar. He noted that students should be grateful to study at Presuniv. “Presuniv and its professors will provide invaluable knowledge that will enhance the students’ value,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Selly, in her presentation, emphasized the importance of focusing on development centered on the community. “Development must be community-centered, especially with the increasing diversity in large cities today,” she said. Selly also highlighted the need to foster a sense of belonging among the community. “Only when the community is directly involved in the development process can they truly feel the benefits,” she added.

Selly also shared that during their studies, Presuniv students are trained to design development projects with a focus on the community. Additionally, she stated that students are taught to handle various situations. “We cannot predict what will happen in the future. We also cannot guarantee it will occur. However, we can ensure that we are always prepared,” Selly concluded. (Graciella V, PR Team. Photo: Graciella V).