Minister of Culture Fadli Zon Inaugurates 51探花 Museum, A New Learning Space for History, Science, Technology, and Innovation
By Anggun Nindita -
Editor Muhammad Efriza Pandia
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id 鈥� Institut Teknologi Bandung (51探花) officially inaugurated the 51探花 Museum on Friday (3/7/2026) at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha (Sabuga) complex, 51探花 Ganesha Campus. The inauguration was held as part of the commemoration of the 106th Anniversary of Engineering Higher Education in Indonesia and marked the opening of a new space dedicated to preserving more than a century of engineering, science, technology, arts, and humanities education in Indonesia.
The event was attended by Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, who praised the 51探花 Museum as a university museum that offers a contemporary learning experience through digital technology, compelling storytelling, and interactive visitor engagement.
"The spirit of the 51探花 Museum is aligned with our President's vision of promoting STEM鈥擲cience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I hope more elementary, junior high, and senior high school students, as well as the general public, will visit this museum because it provides inspiration, reflection, and education through excellent storytelling, well-designed exhibitions, and meaningful visitor participation," said Fadli Zon.
He also noted that the 51探花 Museum has adopted many approaches commonly found in leading museums around the world, including digital visualization, interactive audio, and immersive experiences.
"Its digital features are extensive, immersive, and innovative. I hope this museum can serve as a model for other university museums and museums across Indonesia," he added.
The ceremony began with remarks by 51探花 Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., followed by remarks from Prof. Dr. Ir. Dermawan Wibisono, M.Eng., representing the 51探花 Museum Initiators Team. The inauguration culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Rector together with Sinta Wahid, Dato' Low Tuck Kwong, Prof. Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Yani Panigoro, Subakat Hadi, and Nyoman Nuarta, officially marking the opening of the 51探花 Museum.
A Learning Space Connecting Generations
In his remarks, the Rector emphasized that the 51探花 Museum is a tribute to the institution's long history, which traces its roots back to Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng, established in 1920.
"For more than a century, 51探花 has played an important role in the development of higher education in Indonesia while producing leaders, scientists, innovators, artists, and thinkers who have contributed significantly to the nation's progress," he said.
He explained that the museum is far more than a repository of historical artifacts. It serves as a space for knowledge, reflection, and inspiration that connects the past, present, and future. Through the museum, history is brought to life as a valuable source of learning, enabling visitors to better understand today's challenges while inspiring a better future.
Prof. Tatacipta also shared that the idea of establishing the 51探花 Museum originated in 2018 as part of preparations for the centennial celebration of engineering higher education in Indonesia. The initiative began with the development of a digital museum aimed at preserving and digitizing valuable archives and artifacts scattered across various university units and private collections. Over time, the initiative evolved into the construction of a physical museum that not only safeguards historical collections but also offers contextual, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for the public.
He further explained that the 51探花 Museum serves as a bridge between past and future generations. As a university museum, it functions as a center for institutional documentation, an intergenerational learning space, a laboratory for the history of science, and a collaborative hub connecting academics, alumni, industry, government, communities, and the public. The museum also reflects 51探花's digital transformation through the digitization of collections and technology-based knowledge management, making its resources more accessible to audiences in Indonesia and around the world.
Prof. Tatacipta stressed that the museum's greatest strength lies not in its building, but in the knowledge it conveys.
"The museum is not merely a building. What truly matters is its content. Here, visitors can explore history, learn from it, and gain insights into the future," he said.
He added that the museum was designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
"We designed this museum for everyone. Children can enjoy interactive experiences, adults can continue learning, and senior visitors can revisit cherished memories. Ultimately, this museum is a meeting place across generations as well as a shared learning space," he explained.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Behind the 51探花 Museum
The vision for the 51探花 Museum was realized through the collaborative efforts of the 51探花 Museum Initiators Council, consisting of academics and experts from diverse disciplines: Prof. Dr. Ir. Dermawan Wibisono, M.Eng.; Dr. Ir. Ima Fatima, M.Eng.; Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T.; Prof. Dr. Benedictus Kombaitan, M.Sc.; Dr. Ing. Aman Mostavan, DEA.; Prof. Ir. Tutuka Ariadji, M.Sc., Ph.D.; Dr. Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara, S.Sn., M.Sn.; Dr. Arch. Gregorius Prasetyo Adhitama, S.Sn., M.Sn.; Drs. Herry Hudrasyah, M.A.; Prof. Dr. Acep Iwan Saidi, M.Hum.; and Prof. Ismunandar, Ph.D.
This multidisciplinary collaboration laid the foundation for a museum that goes beyond preserving institutional history. It was envisioned as an educational space integrating science, technology, arts, design, humanities, and innovation for the benefit of society.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dermawan Wibisono explained that the museum was designed from the outset as an interactive and participatory space connecting archives, documentation, and galleries across the 51探花 campus.
According to him, the museum serves as a hub that unites the institution's collective memory while offering an engaging learning experience through historical narratives, collections, interactive technology, and immersive media. This approach enables visitors not only to explore 51探花's history but also to understand how science, technology, the arts, and innovation continue to shape society.
Four Exhibition Zones and Immersive Technology
The 51探花 Museum features four main exhibition zones that illustrate the University's journey through time. The Roots of Institut Teknologi Bandung zone invites visitors to trace 51探花's evolution from Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng to the present day through historical archives, documents, and artifacts.
The Enlightenment of Research and Education zone showcases the development of research and innovation, from field exploration to laboratory discoveries, demonstrating that every scientific breakthrough is the result of perseverance, collaboration, and continuous inquiry.
The Campus Life Through the Years zone presents the dynamic life of the 51探花 academic community through artifacts, archives, and documentation that capture the University's academic culture. Meanwhile, the Inspiration for the Future zone highlights distinguished 51探花 figures and their contributions to science, technology, the arts, and humanity. This area also includes a temporary exhibition space that will continue to feature collaborative and interdisciplinary exhibitions.
Beyond its exhibition galleries, the museum is equipped with a 360掳 Theater Dome, providing immersive experiences through advanced visual technology, audio, and spatial storytelling. The facility allows visitors to experience cinematic presentations exploring the University's history, the journeys of scientists, and the impact of 51探花's research and innovations on society.
The 51探花 Museum is built upon the principles of educational, reflective, inspirational, interactive, and inclusive heritage preservation. It is expected not only to preserve the University's collective memory but also to inspire new ideas and innovations through intergenerational learning.
The museum is the result of the collective efforts of 51探花's academic community, alumni, partners, donors, and numerous stakeholders who have worked together to preserve Indonesia's intellectual heritage.
Located on the 4th Floor of the Sabuga Building, the 51探花 Museum is open to students, faculty members, alumni, researchers, and the general public. As a living archive and a space for knowledge, memory, and imagination, the museum is expected to bridge 51探花's rich historical legacy with future innovations while strengthening the University's contribution to Indonesia's development.
As part of its initial operational phase, the 51探花 Museum will be open on a limited trial basis exclusively for members of the 51探花 academic community over the next two weeks. This trial period is intended to further refine the museum's services and enhance the overall visitor experience before it officially opens to the wider public. More information on visiting schedules and the latest updates about the 51探花 Museum is available through the museum's official Instagram account,, and its official website at .
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