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In her opening remarks, ITB Ditsama Director Prof. Dr. Fatimah Arofiati Noor emphasized the importance of instilling character values from an early stage. “Knowledge without integrity will be fragile, and intelligence without empathy will only give rise to arrogance. This program aims for ITB students to grow into individuals who are honest, disciplined, resilient, and caring toward others,” she stated.

ITB Vice Rector for Finance, Planning, and Development, Prof. Ir. Agus Jatnika Effendi, Ph.D., also reminded students of the challenges ahead. According to him, TPB (the First Year Program) is a crucial phase for self-discovery, building networks, and cultivating noble values that will serve as lifelong guidance.

The event was moderated by D.Sc.(Tech). Imam Santoso, S.T., M.Phil., lecturer at the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering (FTTM) ITB, and featured an inspiring keynote from Prof. Dr. M. Salman A.N., S.Si., M.Si., Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) ITB. In his presentation, Prof. Salman introduced the ITB AIR values (Adaptability, Integrity, and Humility) as essential principles to uphold throughout academic and life journeys. “Being adaptable does not mean losing one’s principles, but rather the ability to adjust while remaining grounded in moral and spiritual values,” he explained.

Beyond the inspirational talk, the program also offered an interactive discussion session. Students raised questions regarding maintaining motivation, coping with self-doubt in a competitive environment, and strategies to reduce drop-out rates during TPB. The responses highlighted the importance of self-reflection, addressing personal shortcomings, and building positive networks with peers.

This year’s character development program also introduced a special initiative: the launch of the book “Guide to Surviving and Growing at ITB”, compiled from the experiences of previous TPB students. The book consists of five main chapters, covering topics such as understanding the university learning system, building communities, strategies for handling assignments and exams, and personal reflections to support student growth. Funded by Yayasan LAPI ITB, the book is distributed free of charge to all TPB 2025 students.

In her closing remarks, Prasanti Widyasih Sarli, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., lecturer at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FTSL) ITB, stressed that success at ITB is not merely about surviving but also about growing. “Studying at ITB is undoubtedly challenging, but it is through these challenges that students are shaped into resilient individuals. Do not just survive, you must grow at your own pace,” she affirmed.

Through this program, ITB hopes that TPB 2025 students will embrace character development as a fundamental foundation for their academic journey, while also becoming individuals who contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.