Background

The Interdisciplinary Engineering Research Unit (UPIK) is a special unit established by the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, as a strategic initiative to enhance the quality of impactful and excellent research in addressing present and future challenges. These challenges are characterized by the VUCA environment (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity).

The rapid and complex changes occurring today require solutions that go beyond single-discipline (monodisciplinary) approaches and instead demand an interdisciplinary methodology.

An interdisciplinary approach involves collaboration among various academic disciplines to deepen knowledge and generate more innovative solutions. By integrating expertise from multiple fields, complementary perspectives can be combined, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions.

To carry out its main duties and functions, UPIK oversees three interdisciplinary research and education institutes as well as three research laboratories. The institutes—the Institute of Energy Studies (IES), the Institute of Urban Planning and Smart Cities (IUS), and the Institute of Biosystem and Bioengineering (IBB)—serve as hubs for interdisciplinary research and education activities.

UPIK is also supported by three research laboratories:

• Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory
• Energy Transition Laboratory
• Advanced Bioindustrial Engineering Laboratory

The institutes supervise several research centers as follows:

Institute of Energy Studies (IES)

• Tropical Renewable Energy Center (TREC)
• Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC)
• Center for Sustainable Energy Systems and Policy (CSESP)

Institute of Urban Planning and Smart Cities (IUS)

• Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development (CSID)
• Research Center for Advanced Vehicles (RCAVe)
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering Research Center (AIDE-RC)
• Center for Interdisciplinary Heritage Engineering (CIDHE)

Institute of Biosystem and Bioengineering (IBB)

• Research Center for Biomedical Engineering (RCBE)
• Research Centre of Biomass Valorization (RCBV)

These research centers function as collaborative platforms that integrate expertise from multiple disciplines to generate innovative solutions addressing contemporary scientific and societal challenges.

Vision

To enhance the quality of excellent and impactful research that is distinguished, empowering, and rooted in cultural values.

Mission

In carrying out its main roles and functions as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research activities, UPIK oversees the development of:

• Interdisciplinary Engineering Research Centers or Hubs.
• Laboratory facilities and infrastructure supporting interdisciplinary engineering research centers and institutes.