The State Administration Science Study Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), University of Jember (Unej), successfully organized a highly relevant guest lecture addressing modern urban challenges. Collaborating with expert practitioners from PT. Citiasia Inc Jakarta, the event was held under the theme: “Building a Smart City: Innovations and Challenges in Government Governance.”
The guest lecture was designed to provide students with in-depth insights from an industry perspective on the concepts, implementation, and challenges of smart city development in Indonesia. This event served as a crucial bridge, connecting public administration theories learned in the classroom with real-world practices.
During the presentation session, the main speaker representing PT. Citiasia Inc explained that a smart city is not merely about implementing advanced technology. Instead, it is an integrated ecosystem encompassing various aspects of urban life, ranging from digital governance (smart governance), economy (smart economy), mobility (smart mobility), to citizens’ quality of life (smart living). The speaker emphasized that the fundamental foundation of a smart city is an adaptive, transparent, and data-oriented government governance to enable more accurate and effective policy-making.
The resource person also shared various case studies and examples of successful smart city projects implemented in several Indonesian cities. A major highlight was how the utilization of the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be employed to tackle classic urban problems such as traffic congestion, waste management, energy efficiency, and improving public services. Students were encouraged to understand how technology serves as a tool to achieve the main goal: public well-being.
Participants’ enthusiasm was evident during the discussion and Q&A session. Students actively inquired about the challenges of smart city implementation, such as the digital divide, cyber security, and the need for large budgets. In response, the speaker from PT. Citiasia Inc stressed the importance of Pentahelix collaboration, involving the government, academia, the business sector, the community, and the media. According to the speaker, the role of academics and prospective public administrators like FISIP Unej students is crucial in providing research-based input and ensuring that smart city development remains inclusive and citizen-centric.
This guest lecture is expected not only to enrich students’ knowledge but also to broaden their horizons regarding career opportunities in policy consulting, urban analysis, and digital governance specialists in both the public and private sectors. The Head of the State Administration Science Study Program conveyed their appreciation and expressed hope that the collaboration with practitioners like PT. Citiasia Inc can continue to ensure a relevant curriculum and produce graduates who are ready to face the dynamics of public administration in the digital era.