International Office and Partnership of UIN SSC and the University of Adelaide (Australia) Host an International Seminar Titled "Innovating for Social Impact: International Research Collaboration and Sunyaragi-Inspired Techno-Park Development in Cirebon City"
Cirebon, January 21, 2025 — Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UIN SSC and the Wirasoft Foundation, a much-anticipated public lecture was held at the 8th Floor Auditorium of the Cyber Building. The keynote speaker was Professor Rudolf Wirawan, CEO of the Wirasoft Foundation and a distinguished professor from the University of Adelaide, Australia, ranked 82nd globally in the QS World University Rankings Top 100.
In this international seminar, which took place immediately after the MoU signing ceremony, Professor Rudolf Wirawan provided an in-depth explanation of how emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, Blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO), and StoryPathways can be harnessed to address the challenges posed by globalization. These technologies were presented as part of implementing the Ecologypathways Living System (ELS) framework. This seminar aimed to provide insights into the integration of these technologies and their profound impact on various sectors, particularly education, economics, society, and the environment, as well as their potential to transform the academic world.
The event was attended by key leaders of UIN SSC, including Prof. Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag. (Vice Rector I of UIN SSC), Prof. Dr. H. Hajam, M.Ag. (Vice Rector III), deans and vice deans, heads of institutions and centers, and the Head of the International Office and Partnership (IOP), Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. The event also welcomed both local and international students. This broad attendance underscored a shared commitment to driving innovation and academic excellence at UIN SSC through the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and Blockchain.
During the seminar, Professor Rudolf Wirawan emphasized the transformational power of AI and Blockchain. He elaborated that Blockchain, originally developed as a decentralized digital ledger for cryptocurrency transactions, has evolved into a versatile tool with broad applications across industries. Blockchain's core strengths lie in its security, transparency, and resilience, making it an ideal solution for recording and verifying data in sectors like finance, logistics, and data management. However, Professor Wirawan highlighted that Blockchain's true potential can only be unlocked when integrated with AI, especially in areas requiring large-scale data processing and rapid decision-making.
According to Professor Wirawan, the integration of AI and Blockchain offers the best of both worlds: AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data, detect patterns, and make intelligent decisions combined with the security and transparency provided by Blockchain. AI systems can automate business processes, enhance transaction security, and ensure greater transparency and auditability. This integration, he suggested, has the potential to revolutionize how academic institutions manage student data, research projects, and intellectual property. Blockchain, with its secure and immutable ledger, can help ensure the integrity of academic records, while AI can provide insights into student performance, facilitate personalized learning experiences, and support data-driven decision-making in academic administration.
In his presentation, Professor Wirawan explored the profound impact of combining AI and Blockchain on the education sector. He stressed that education is one of the fields that can significantly benefit from these technologies, particularly in enhancing academic integrity, improving student outcomes, and streamlining administrative processes. Blockchain's secure and decentralized data storage will enable transparent and immutable academic achievement records, simplifying credential verification and preventing fraud. Meanwhile, AI can facilitate personalized learning, allowing institutions to better understand each student's learning needs and provide educational experiences tailored to their performance and learning style.
Furthermore, Professor Wirawan highlighted the importance of AI training in achieving effective integration between AI and Blockchain. He explained that AI models must be trained using appropriate algorithms, data, and infrastructure to identify patterns, trends, and anomalies. This training process is crucial for enabling AI systems to make decisions aligned with the application's goals and objectives. He also noted that while Blockchain provides security and transparency, human involvement is still required to ensure ethical and valid data. Blockchain systems operated solely by humans require honesty and wisdom to ensure that the data stored in the system remains accurate and ethical. Conversely, when AI manages Blockchain, critical thinking is essential for AI to detect potential anomalies, ensure data integrity, and maintain a reliable and fair system free from human bias.
During the Q&A session, several important questions were raised by the participants. Prof. Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag. (Vice Rector I), asked how educational institutions can verify whether a student’s work is generated by AI or represents genuine human effort. Professor Wirawan responded by referencing his personal experience with open-book exams, where students could access textbooks and other resources. He explained that while these exams allowed students to refer to various sources, they did not guarantee meaningful or original answers. This, he argued, is similar to the use of AI—while AI can provide vast amounts of data and insights, it cannot replace the critical thinking and creativity that come from the human mind. This discussion underscored the importance of maintaining academic integrity in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Another question from Luqman Abdul H., a representative from Telkom University, focused on how AI could be applied in the education sector to facilitate the management of student learning outcomes and academic records. Professor Wirawan answered by highlighting AI's potential to automate administrative tasks, enhance personalized learning, and ensure more secure and efficient data management systems. He also emphasized that as AI advances, its ability to assist in predictive analytics and decision-making will be invaluable in shaping the future of education.
Overall, this event provided valuable insights into the future of AI, Blockchain, and the role of technology in shaping the future of education. It marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between UIN SSC and the University of Adelaide, paving the way for future initiatives aimed at exploring practical applications of AI and Blockchain across various fields. The knowledge shared during this lecture is expected to inspire further discussions, research, and innovations that will benefit not only the academic community but also the broader global society. With continued support from Professor Rudolf Wirawan, UIN SSC remains committed to advancing technological literacy and digital transformation, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff are prepared to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.
