Prof. Ir. Togar M. Simatupang, M.Tech., Ph.D., IPU, is an academic with primary expertise in supply chain systems at ITB. This supply chain system is the backbone of every company’s operations management. Companies can maximize the development, procurement, production, and distribution of products or services to consumers by optimizing the supply chain.
Togar has received numerous awards for his academic research, including the Emerald Literati Network Award in 2006, the Endeavor Award from the Australian Government in 2008. He is also one of the Top Scientists in Indonesia based on Google Scholar, Outstanding Researcher ITB in 2015, and has been awarded other prestigious awards.
He was inspired by the biographies of ITB alumni, such as Soekarno, the nation’s founding father, Djuanda Kartawidjaja with his concept of Indonesian maritime sovereignty, Iskandar Alisjahbana, the father of the Palapa domestic satellite communication system, Anang Zaini Gani, the designer of Indonesia’s postal network, and others. He was moved to continue developing science and technology that can guide and inspire changes that educate the lives of the Indonesian people. Togar has received widespread recognition for its involvement in various national initiatives, including creative economy development, entrepreneurship education, the national fish supply chain system, supply chain collaboration models, and the food system.
“Life is more than just earning a living. Don’t be deluded into believing you’re a mediocre person! Be a person with a desire to make a difference in society. Continue to desire to learn to improve your capabilities so that you could make an impact on the nation and state,” said a Massey University, New Zealand, and MIT Sloan School of Management graduate.
The Other Side of Being Ambitious
Professor Togar did not deny that his path to becoming a professor at the age of 40 was not without difficulties. It necessitates a high level of dedication, strict time management, and other sacrifices.
“In general, I see some challenges in my professional life. First, there must be a desire within oneself to master a particular field. Initially, I chose to become an expert in supply chain management because Indonesia needed supply chain development, and there were few experts available in the 1990s,” according to the man who was born in Pematang Siantar.
The second challenge is social interaction. We build social networking through friendship and collaborative research with colleagues at home and abroad. I always try to solve problems that arise from teaching, questions from colleagues, business issues, and questions from various seminars.
He sometimes suffers from emotional exhaustion or burn-out due to his strong desire to develop Indonesia. Togar, on the other hand, can channel the pressure by rearranging both his schedule and work priorities because there is a very constructive support system in the community and family. Togar is also pleased to be a part of ITB’s dynamic academic ecosystem. He frequently exchanges stories and experiences with his colleagues and students on the sidelines of his hectic schedule.
Aside from building ITB and addressing the nation’s problems, he also dedicates himself outside of the campus on several occasions. As an assessor for the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education, a member of the Editorial Board of Reputable International Journals, a reviewer for international journals, the Committee of ITB Alumni Association (IA-ITB), the Advisory Board of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Indonesia, and the Rector of Del Institute of Technology (IT Del) 2016-2021 in Laguboti, North Sumatra Province.
At the end of the interview, he conveyed a valuable message for students, colleagues, alumni, and the community. “No need to be allergic to challenges; we need to plan and prepare well. If we fail to plan, it means we plan to fail.” closed Togar.