Prof Sitanala Arsyad, Rector of IPB University 1987-1996 Period Passed Away
The entire community of IPB University feels a deep loss for the passing of one of the inspirational educators, Prof Dr H Sitanala Arsyad bin H Mukhtar. The Rector of IPB University for the period 1987-1996 has currently passed away on Friday (22/9) at 15.24 WIB at Siloam Hospital Bogor at the age of 89.
During his lifetime, Prof Sitanala Arsyad was known as a soil conservation expert. More than 20 soil science articles he wrote have been published in domestic and international journals. He also compiled the book Soil and Water Conservation (published by IPB in 1989 and 2000), the second edition of which was published in 2006.
Prof Sitanala obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1961 at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Indonesia, which was the forerunner of IPB University (1963). Before graduating, he was already a teaching assistant (assistant level II) in soil science in 1959. Then, the youthful Sitanala continued his master’s education at the Graduate School of the University of Georgia, Athen-Georgia, USA and graduated in 1963. Two years later, he earned his Philosophiae doctor (PhD) degree at the same university with a specialisation in soil conservation.
Before becoming Rector of IPB University for two terms (1987-1996), the man born in Central Lampung, 21 March 1934, also served as Rector of Lampung University (Unila) from 1973-1981. In 2004, he retired from the civil service and was appointed Emeritus Professor at the Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University.
“Finish what needs to be done today, don’t put it off for tomorrow.” That is the motto he has always held for decades. Now, what he has dedicated will always be remembered as an inspiration for the future.
The honourable soul was laid to rest at the funeral home on Jl Taman Malabar No 3, Bogor and will be departed to Lampung for the family cemetery in Dusun Negara Bumi Ilir, Central Lampung, tomorrow morning (23/9).
Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria expressed his deep sorrow. “We have lost a dedicative figure who has cemented the baton of leadership to the next generation. The progress of IPB University today certainly cannot be separated from the role of the deceased. Prof Arsyad has a very large legacy for the progress of IPB. He was the one who was very instrumental in building the Darmaga Campus of IPB. This is a great work that changed the face of IPB and became a new milestone in the progress of IPB. There are many examples that we should learn from him. Goodbye Prof Sitanala. Your work will continue to be remembered and inspire us,” said Rector. (IAAS/RUM)
