UMS Electrical Engineering Boosts Practicums with PLN’s RTU Support

The Electrical Engineering Program of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), received practical laboratory support equipment from PLN UP2D Central Java & Yogyakarta as a follow-up to the visit of the PLN Distribution Director, who is an alumnus of UMS Electrical Engineering. This collaboration marks a strategic effort to bridge academic competencies with the demands of today’s electricity sector.

Dedi Ary Prasetya, S.T., M.Eng., Secretary of the International Class Electrical Engineering Program, explained that this activity reflects a shared commitment to strengthening ties between the university and the industry.

“The alumnus who now serves as the PLN Distribution Director wants stronger synergy. This equipment was provided so that the gap between industry and the campus does not remain too wide,” he said, Monday (17/11/2025).

The equipment provided includes electric bicycle charging devices and practical tools for the electrical laboratory. These tools will serve as an important foundation for curriculum adjustments and for enhancing the quality of practical sessions.

“With equipment currently used by PLN, the university can better understand industry standards. This encourages us to adjust the curriculum, both in theory and practice,” he added.

Dedi added that further collaboration opportunities are currently being discussed, including a planned visit by UMS lecturers to PLN to map out industry needs as well as potential research and development initiatives.

“In essence, we want academic activities, research, and the curriculum to truly align with the real needs of the electricity industry,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Manager of PLN UP2D Central Java & DIY, Moh. Khozain, emphasized that the provision of Real-Time Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) equipment is part of PLN’s effort to push digitalization and prepare students for the challenges of the modern electricity sector.

PLN UP2D Central Java & DIY Manager Moh. Khozain highlighted students’ readiness to face the challenges of the modern electrical industry.   

We want students to understand the SCADA system and how the RTU functions as the main point of control, sensing, and metering within PLN’s network,” he explained.

RTUs play a crucial role in real-time monitoring of the electricity grid, from load and current to outage locations. Data from the RTU is connected to PLN’s central system and serves as the basis for outage information displayed in the PLN Mobile app used by the public.

Khozain believes that the presence of this equipment opens up further development opportunities for students, particularly in building independent Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems that can visualize RTU data in a more inventive way

“The hope is that what students practice on campus can be directly applicable in the workplace, especially within the ecosystem of electricity digitalization,” he said.

This synergy between UMS and PLN serves as a concrete step in strengthening student competencies through learning experiences based on modern industrial equipment. The collaboration is expected to continue growing, opening opportunities for research, technological development, and improvements in the quality of teaching aligned with national electricity needs.

Writer: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid