The Global Geophysics Expertise Group (KK-GG) is one of eight Expertise Groups at the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering (FTTM), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). As an expertise group, KK GG has the main task of developing Geophysics science through research activities in its scientific field.
The field of geophysics developed in the Global Geophysics expertise group (KK GG) includes science that includes: seismology, geodynamics, seismic exploration, magnetic properties of rocks, and its application for various purposes such as disaster studies, volcanoes, earthquakes, geothermal, ancient environments, and exploration of natural resources.
Apart from that, KK GG is also tasked with looking after educational programs in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Study Programs in Geophysical Engineering FTTM ITB through teaching and student guidance activities. The sciences developed at KK GG include: Seismology, Geodynamics, Seismic Exploration, Geomagnetism, and Volcano Physics. KK GG also develops science related to earthquake and tsunami disaster mitigation efforts and volcanic eruptions, as well as scientific development for the environment, agriculture and infrastructure.
The origins of KK GG at FTTM began when the KK KK Geophysical Science and Engineering (ITG) was expanded into KK GG and KK Applied Geophysics based on the Decree of the Chancellor of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) No.421/SK/K01/OT/2009. The expansion of the ITG KK was carried out by considering several main things, namely: (1) the number of ITG KK members of 25 people was deemed too many and ineffective; (2) the demand for two skills, namely Applied Geophysics and Global Geophysics, is felt to be very strong; and (3) the field of seismology needs to be focused and developed further according to national needs. Referring to the ITB Chancellor’s Decree above, the KK GG then consisted of 10 meetings led by Prof. Sri Widiyantoro, M.Sc., Ph.D. In December 2009, KK GG membership increased through the placement of Dr. Andri Dian Nugraha, S.Si., M.Si. as a lecturer at KK GG.
Based on Decree of the Dean of FTTM ITB No. 106/SK/I1.C04/KP/2016 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Chair of KK GG FTTM ITB, who appointed Prof. Dr. Antonius Nanang T. Puspito, M.Sc. as Chair of KK GG FTTM ITB until 31 December 2018. In February 2017, KK GG accepted the placement of two new lecturers, namely Rexha Verdhora Ry, S.T., M.T. and Silvia Jannatul Fajar, S.T., M.T. based on ITB Chancellor’s Decree No. 045/SK/I1.A/KP/2017 concerning the Placement of Lecturers in FTTM KK. Then in August 2017, KK GG received placements for two lecturers, namely Dr. rer. Nat. David Prambudi Sahara, S.T., M.T. and Dr. Zulfakriza, S.Si., M.T.
In 2018, the Dean of FTTM ITB issued a decision regarding the Dismissal and Appointment of the Chair of the 2019 FTTM ITB KK No. 103/SK/I1.C04/KP/2018, which appointed Prof. Dr. Antonius Nanang T. Puspito, M.Sc. as Chair of KK GG until 23 November 2023. In April 2019, KK GG accepted the placement of a new lecturer, namely Dr. Endra Gunawan, S.T., M.Sc. based on ITB Chancellor’s Decree No. 098/SK/I1.A/KP/2019.
For research funds and community service funds recorded in FTTM, KK GG received funds amounting to Rp. 1,523,800,000 in 2017. Meanwhile, in 2018, KK GG received research funds and community service funds amounting to Rp. 3,910,037,250. KK GG research funds from 2010 to August 2019 can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Graph of KK GG research funds per year.
Since 2017, KK GG has successively released a book entitled Anthology of Global Geophysics. This book contains a collection of writings from the research results of KK GG Lecturers which describe the state of the art in the development of Geophysics science. This book is a form of KK GG’s responsibility in efforts to disseminate Geophysical knowledge to the academic community in particular, and the wider community in general.
In the field of research, in general, there are three main scopes of KK GG research in 2017 as follows:
1. Geological disaster mitigation
2. Energy
3. Environment
These research activities are carried out in various schemes, both national and international, with total funds throughout 2017 – 2019 of more than 4 billion rupiah. The research output has been published in more than 20 papers in reputable international journals, and in 40 presentations at scientific conferences.
Apart from that, collaboration on KK research applications with industry, especially in the energy sector, is also established with several companies, including Pertamina, Star Energy, and Supreme Energy. This activity resulted in a piece of software that has received copyright from the Indonesian government. Research with foreign partners has also been established with leading foreign researchers from Asia, Australia, Australia and America throughout 2017.
Figure 2. Research resumes of KK GG members on the Google Scholar page
In the field of education and community service, KK GG members play many roles in providing training and workshops to the community held by LPPM ITB and the national professional organization Geophysics. In 2017, KK GG member, Dr. Andri Dian Nugraha, was also elected as chairman of the Association of Indonesian Geophysicists (HAGI). Apart from that, several books in the field of geophysics have also been published by members of the KK GG and have been registered with the national ISBN.
With the active Tri Dharma of Higher Education activities (research, education and community service) at KK GG, it is not surprising that this KK has high publication and citation scores on the international indexing institutions Google Scholar and Scopus. A resume of KK GG publications and citations can be seen in Figure 2.
Source: 2019 Global Geophysics Anthology Book