Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia Lecturer Serves as Keynote Speaker at International Conference in Peru, Showcasing Metaverse and Immersive Technology Innovations
Bandar Lampung – Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia continues to strengthen its international presence through the achievements of its academic community. Assoc. Prof. Dr.Sc. Dedi Darwis, S.Kom., M.Kom., CDSP., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (FTIK), was invited to serve as a Keynote Speaker at the prestigious 4th Latin American International Conference on Sustainable Engineering and Education (LAICSEE-2026), organized by the Institute for Engineering Research and Publication (IFERP) on June 19–20, 2026, in Lima, Peru. His participation in the international forum reflects the contribution of Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia academics to the fields of technology, education, and sustainable development through digital innovation. The hybrid conference brought together academics, researchers, and practitioners from various countries. Dedi Darwis delivered a presentation titled “Leveraging Virtual and Augmented Reality for Green Infrastructure Planning, Education, and Sustainable Development.” He shared the stage with keynote speakers from countries including Peru, Oman, Malaysia, Iran, and Bangladesh to discuss innovative approaches to global development challenges in the digital transformation era. Highlighting the Importance of Green Infrastructure During his presentation, Dedi Darwis highlighted the growing challenges associated with rapid urbanization. Urban areas currently account for more than 70 percent of global energy consumption and over 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, while the proportion of the global population living in cities is projected to approach 70 percent by 2050. He emphasized that green infrastructure—including urban forests, bioswales, ecological corridors, and green roofs—is increasingly important in addressing the impacts of climate change. “Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can serve as a bridge to accelerate the planning, simulation, and educational processes related to green infrastructure, with greater cost efficiency and lower risks before physical implementation,” Dedi Darwis explained. Introducing Four Pillars of Immersive Technology Dedi Darwis also introduced four major technologies that are being developed at Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and the Metaverse. These technologies are developed using modern platforms, including Roblox Studio and Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3, to create more realistic, interactive, and collaborative learning and simulation experiences. According to Dedi Darwis, immersive technology is no longer limited to entertainment. It has increasingly become a strategic tool for education, research, urban planning, environmental conservation, and the development of future industries. Six Applications of VR and AR for Sustainable Development During the conference, Dedi Darwis presented six practical applications of VR and AR in supporting sustainable development: He also highlighted the potential of immersive technology to improve learning effectiveness. According to research referenced in his presentation, VR-based learning can increase knowledge retention by up to 75 percent compared with conventional learning methods. JUARAMETA: Indonesia’s Metaverse Innovation One of the highlights of the presentation was JUARAMETA (Center of Excellence in Metaverse) at Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia. JUARAMETA is a metaverse center focused on developing virtual-world technologies for education, culture, business, and society. It is presented as one of Indonesia’s pioneering initiatives in the field. At the international forum, Dedi Darwis introduced several innovations developed through JUARAMETA, including: These innovations demonstrate how metaverse technology can be applied to expand access to education, preserve cultural heritage, develop the digital economy, and support more inclusive community development. Opening Opportunities for International Collaboration At the conclusion of his presentation, Dedi Darwis invited academics and researchers from Latin America and other countries to explore opportunities for international research collaboration in immersive technology and sustainable development. “Sustainable development challenges are global challenges. Therefore, the solutions we develop must also be collaborative and cross-border. We are open to research partnerships, innovation, and joint technology development with institutions around the world,” he said. Rector Applauds Global Achievement Dr. H.M. Nasrullah Yusuf, S.E., M.B.A., Rector of Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, expressed his appreciation and pride in Dedi Darwis’ achievement. He stated that the recognition received by Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia academics at international forums demonstrates the university’s growing contribution to global discussions on technology, education, and sustainable development. “We are very proud of Dr. Dedi Darwis’ achievement. His participation as a keynote speaker at a prestigious international conference in Peru demonstrates that Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia can contribute to global conversations about the future of technology, education, and sustainable development. This is a source of pride for the entire academic community,” said Nasrullah Yusuf. He added that the university will continue strengthening its research culture, innovation, and international collaboration to produce work with broader societal impact. Vice Rector Encourages Greater Global Engagement Dr. H. Mahathir Muhammad, S.E., M.M., Vice Rector of Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, also expressed his appreciation for Dedi Darwis’ international contribution. According to him, the achievement reflects the continued efforts of Teknokrat academics to produce research that addresses contemporary global challenges. “We warmly welcome and take great pride in Dr. Dedi Darwis’ achievement as a keynote speaker at an international conference in Peru. His participation not only represents Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia on the global stage, but also demonstrates Indonesia’s contribution to the development of technology for sustainable development. We hope this achievement will inspire even more Teknokrat lecturers to participate in international academic forums,” Mahathir said. Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia’s participation in LAICSEE-2026 is closely connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The innovations presented by Dedi Darwis support SDG 4 – Quality Education through immersive learning using VR and metaverse technologies, helping enhance educational quality and promote more inclusive learning opportunities. The initiative also contributes to SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by applying digital technologies to support more efficient and sustainable infrastructure development. The use of VR and AR in urban planning and environmental conservation is also aligned with SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13 – Climate Action. Meanwhile, the international research collaboration promoted through the conference supports SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals. Dedi Darwis’ participation as an international keynote speaker further highlights Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia’s commitment to developing technology-based innovations that address global challenges while contributing to sustainable development.
