Source: Untar Public Relations – VC

Untar has produced a new doctoral graduate from its Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering (DTS). Muhammad Agung Wibowo officially earned his Doctorate in Civil Engineering after successfully defending his dissertation titled “The Influence Model of Foreign and Local Workforce Utilization on Infrastructure Development” during an Open Doctoral Promotion Examination held at the Auditorium of Building M, Campus I Untar, on Thursday (23/10/2025).

The examination was chaired by Untar Rector, Prof. Dr. Amad Sudiro, S.H., M.H., M.Kn., M.M. Serving as the Main Promoter was Prof. Dr. Ir. Agustinus Purna Irawan, M.T., M.M., IPU., A.E., while the Co-Promoter was Prof. Madya Kehormat ABD. Rahim Awang, LAM reg IDA 10. The examining committee consisted of Prof. Ir. M. Agung Wibowo, M.M., M.Sc., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ir. Henny Pratiwi Adi, S.T., M.T., Ir. Harto Tanujaya, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., and Ir. Oei Fuk Jin, S.T., M.Eng., D.Eng.

The research was motivated by a pressing issue in the construction sector: the ongoing debate surrounding the involvement of foreign workers (TKA), which is often perceived as reducing employment opportunities for local workers (TKL). Using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach, the study examined how the presence of both foreign and local workers influences sustainable infrastructure development in Indonesia.

The findings revealed that the presence of foreign workers does not necessarily have a negative impact. Instead, it contributes positively to accelerating development, facilitating knowledge transfer, and enhancing the competencies of local workers. The study produced a construction workforce management model that can serve as a reference for developing balanced and sustainable labor policies.

Agung Wibowo, who currently serves as Supervisory Board Member of Yayasan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia (YPSDM) Bekasi and Commissioner of PT. Bina Garis Sinergi, stated that the research is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the nation. According to him, infrastructure development requires not only technology and capital but also fair, collaborative, and adaptive human resource management that responds to global dynamics.

“A balance between foreign and local workers is essential to ensure that national development is not only rapid but also inclusive and sustainable. I hope the findings of this research can serve as a policy reference for improving the competitiveness of Indonesia’s construction workforce,” he said during the examination.

Following a rigorous question-and-answer session and evaluation by the examining committee, Muhammad Agung Wibowo was declared to have passed with the distinction of “Highly Satisfactory” and achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.86. He became the 100th doctoral graduate of Untar’s Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering, marking a significant milestone in Untar’s contribution to the advancement of higher education in civil engineering in Indonesia.

VA/YS