PDW's Initiatives with University Students

As a company deeply rooted in our community and industry, PDW understands the importance of education in shaping the future workforce and driving progress. With this understanding, we are committed to supporting education, particularly at the university level, recognizing it as a vital investment in individuals and society. 

This commitment is evidenced by our active engagement with students through a series of initiatives including presentations, discussions, and site visits. These interactions serve to provide invaluable insights into contemporary issues in architecture and urban planning, while also offering practical applications within the industry.

In January and February 2024, we hosted three occasions to engage with students from three universities. We welcomed architecture students from Universitas Tadulako at our office on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. During the session, Hale Ramia, Roy Pakpahan, and Elang Priambodo, from the architecture and BIM team facilitated an engaging sharing session, providing valuable insights into the company's projects and design philosophy.

The students of Sriwijaya University visited the PDW office on Tuesday (20/2/2024)

Similarly, students from Universitas Sriwijaya visited our office on Tuesday (20/2/2024). After engaging in a discussion session, the students were invited to tour our office. Annisa Rahma, Suhijrah Widodo, including Dicky Ahmad Nusa, an alumnus of Universitas Sriwijaya (our Architecture Specialists, provided a guided tour of the office. The students had the opportunity to experience the working environment in our company across various divisions such as architecture, interior design, landscape, urban design, tender, quality technical support, modeling, production team, and Building Information Modeling (BIM), while also receiving shared experiences from our team. This enabled the students to gain insights and experience regarding the diverse specializations and skills in the field of architecture.

During the discussion session, an intriguing question was asked by one of the students "With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various sectors, including architecture, how does PDW approach this? Is AI perceived as a beneficial tool or a potential threat to the architecture profession?" Suhijrah Widodo, our Architectural Specialist from the Community and Low rise Development (CLD) team, articulated that we have witnessed significant technological advancements over time. From manual drafting to CAD, followed by the introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM), and most recently, the surge in Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, it is imperative for us to remain cognizant of these technological shifts and adapt promptly. PDW anticipates that AI will evolve into a potent tool over time. While it does assist us in the initial stages of the design process, as architects, we maintain the responsibility to scrutinize and oversee various elements to ensure both technical and ethical accountability of the final product. Consequently, rather than perceiving AI as a threat to the architecture profession, we acknowledge its potential to introduce new possibilities in the field of architecture.

"PDW emphasized innovation in every project, supported by research and development to advance the fields of urban design and architecture in Indonesia. By collaborating with universities and high schools and designing educational buildings that prioritize user experience, we aim to foster meaningful relationships between educators and students through the design of open spaces and interactive areas.”

On Thursday, (22/2/24),  we hosted architecture students from Universitas Pradita, offering them a unique opportunity to visit two of our completed projects, Pacific Century Place and Gran Rubina. The visit aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of our design approach, particularly in response to climate and the surrounding urban environment. Our architecture and urban design team facilitated the sessions, providing detailed explanations about the building designs and their contextual relevance. The enthusiasm of the students was evident through their active participation and engagement, particularly regarding sustainability and fire safety.

During the session, a student queried in regards to the fire protection measures in the Pacific Century Place building. Rully Syahrul Ramdhani from the Quality Control division responded that in its construction, Pacific Century Place utilizes passive fire protection methods directly applied to the surfaces of steel structures such as beams and composite columns to provide thermal insulation from high fire temperatures. As an additional precaution, the building design incorporates a smoke-proof lobby equipped with doors that automatically close. This lobby is connected to emergency staircases and fireman's lifts.

Moreover, PDW provides internship opportunities across various disciplines, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and exposure to real-world challenges. By fostering these internship programs, PDW not only enriches the team with fresh perspectives from young talents but also facilitates seamless collaboration across different generations. 

The students of Pradita University conducted a practical lecture at Pacific Century Place and Gran Rubina on Thursday (22/2/2024)

Tiyok Prasetyoadi, our Managing Director, underscores the company’s dedication, stating, "PDW emphasized innovation in every project, supported by research and development to advance the fields of urban design and architecture in Indonesia. By collaborating with universities and high schools and designing educational buildings that prioritize user experience, we aim to foster meaningful relationships between educators and students through the design of open spaces and interactive areas.” Through ongoing efforts in education and collaboration with universities, PDW aims to contribute to the development of the next generation of skilled professionals who will shape the future of the industry. (pdw)