Research Focus & Publication – Petra Christian University

THE PROPER USE OF SCIENCE IS NOT to CONQUER A NATURE BUT TO LIVE IN IT

~BARRY COMMONER~

sustainable development

The strategic issues addressed within the scope of P2M (Research and Community Service / Penelitian dan Pengabdian pada Masyarakat) are global warming and climate change. The occurrence of global warming demands a paradigm shift in development programs and compels us to implement a more environmentally friendly concept known as Sustainable Development.

The most widely accepted concept of Sustainable Development is The Brundtland Definition, which emphasizes “development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The 1992 Rio de Janeiro Declaration adopted this definition and introduced the concept of three dimensions, recognizing that Sustainable Development is a balance among dimensions: Environmental Protection Sustainable, Economic Growth Sustainable, and Social Development Sustainable.

At Petra Christian University, all three dimensions are applied sustainably to support the preservation of the environment.

The research centre nurtures a specialized study centre focused on environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability within the academic community. Each team at the study centre will determine topics that can be utilized for:

Writing project grant proposals
Supervising students' final year projects/research
Conducting community outreach activities or service-learning programs (embedded in courses)
Organizing seminars for knowledge dissemination
Publishing research publications in reputable journals

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SUSTAINABILITY

Activities in this scope are conducted in conjunction with research to preserve the environment and meet the current generation's needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations. The research is focused on renewable energy, energy conservation, green buildings, and carbon emission reduction.

During G20 meetings, the issue of climate change also receives significant attention. It is addressed in various working groups. One of the G20 working groups that extensively discussed climate-related issues was the Climate Sustainability Working Group (CSWG). G20 member countries also emphasized the application of sustainable principles in addressing climate change.

ECONOMIC GROWTH SUSTAINABILITY

In a recent speech before the United Nations General Assembly, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Joko Widodo, emphasized the importance of empowering developing nations to drive technological innovation and build a sustainable global economy. The economic landscape has shifted from the era of industrial economy to the era of information, and now, it is transitioning towards the creative economy era.

The most crucial aspect of the creative economy is the power of ideas transformed into economic value. Unlike natural resources that deplete over time with prolonged exploration, creative ideas are boundless, and their value tends to increase over time. The new economic era intensifies information and creativity, relying on ideas and the stock of knowledge from human resources as the primary factors of production in economic activities. Consequently, research is focused on developing the creative industrial economy, green supply chains, environmentally friendly production, procurement, and packaging design that can generate Economic Growth Sustainability.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT

Indonesia, as an archipelagic nation, boasts a rich cultural diversity among its various ethnic and tribal groups. However, conflicts based on race, ethnicity, and religion that persist in certain regions serve as evidence that cultural tolerance is not yet fully realized, internalized, and practiced by society.

Culture is an inseparable aspect of human life. It is not only integral to human existence, but humans themselves cannot endure life without culture. Culture is formed through the long journey of a nation's life and history. At Petra Christian University (PCU), the fields of Culture and Society are among the key areas of focus in the Research and Community Engagement (P2M) program, to address issues related to gender equality, combating social problems such as racism, advancing education, and fostering peace within the community.

Research Focus PCU 2024–2028

Petra Christian University (PCU) terus memperkuat perannya dalam menghasilkan riset yang berdampak melalui penetapan lima fokus utama untuk periode 2024–2028. Penetapan fokus ini berakar pada misi institusi untuk menghadirkan pendidikan tinggi yang transformatif, berorientasi pada integrasi iman dan ilmu, serta relevan dengan tantangan kontemporer baik secara nasional maupun global. Kelima fokus tersebut mencerminkan keterlibatan PCU dalam berbagai isu strategis.

1. Holistic Christian Education and Community Development ▶

This research focus emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to education and community empowerment, fostered through collaboration among educational institutions, churches, government bodies, and the wider society. It includes the development of curricula rooted in Christian values, transformative community engagement programs, and research on effective character education models in the digital era.

2. Smart Technology and Engineering for Sustainable Development ▶

This theme encourages the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and renewable energy to address environmental challenges, urbanization, and quality of life. Research areas include smart city technologies, clean energy systems, intelligent waste management, and technology applications for natural disaster mitigation.

3. Creative Economy and Cultural Preservation for Social Change ▶

This area explores the potential of locally grounded cultural innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration across the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship. Research topics include the development of creative products based on cultural heritage, digitalization of cultural content, sustainable creative business models, and the role of the creative economy in promoting social inclusion and poverty alleviation.

4. Sustainable Business and Governance ▶

This focus promotes the transformation of business models to become more ethical, transparent, and aligned with sustainable development principles. Key research areas include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, the circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and methods for measuring the social and environmental impact of business activities.

5. Health Services and Community Wellbeing ▶

This theme highlights the critical role of research in enhancing quality of life, especially in areas such as adolescent mental health, nutrition, and equitable access to healthcare. It includes the development of affordable health technologies, community-based mental health intervention models, digital health systems, and effective public health policy.

Seluruh fokus riset ini terintegrasi dengan Tujuan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan (SDGs), mendukung kolaborasi lintas fakultas, serta membuka peluang kerja sama dengan mitra industri, pemerintah, dan organisasi masyarakat. Melalui arah ini, PCU menegaskan komitmennya untuk menjadi pusat riset yang solutif, kolaboratif, dan relevan dengan kebutuhan zaman.