This interview was made in October 2015 in Professor Wardani’s Office in the Doctorate Program in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang-Central Java – Indonesia. It should be stated that Professor Azis has more than 55 years teaching experience in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) mostly at ITB, and also with Parahyangan University in Bandung. He also as Supervisor and external examiner at Diponegoro University in Semarang-Central Java – Indonesia. His thousands students come from all provinces in Indonesia and many of them hold key position in governments, private companies, universities, etc.
SPR Wardani, Editor of Bulletin.
Prof. Ani : Good morning Prof. Azis, once again I would like to convey the greetings of Prof.Bala, he is your old friend.
Prof. Azis : Good morning Prof Ani, Yes … thank so much Prof. Ani, you are right, he is an old friend of mine, but I lost contact with him. It brings back the memories of my past. I hope he will be OK and we could see him again, either in Australia or Bandung or even Semarang.
Prof. Ani : Yes … I hope so, he really a good friend of mine and a very caring and helped me a lot.
Prof.Aziz: Yes … I agree with you, he is very friendly and very pleasant.
Prof. Ani: By the way Prof. Azis, could you tell us about yourself and your academic background? Also about the meaning of your full name, because your name is not Javanese’s right?
Prof. Azis : It is OK, you are right. Abdul Azis Jaya Putra (usually written now, but originally spelling is Abdul Aziz Djaja Putra).
Abdul Aziz meaning servant of God Almighty (Arabic), while Djaja / Jaya Putra means successful son (Indonesia). I am very grateful and thankful for this given name. I was born in Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia, May 15, 1935 and finished state-owned High School in Medan.
Prof. Ani: Prof. Azis, tell me a little bit of your career journey up to become one of a well-known geotechnical experts in Indonesia?
Prof. Azis: After completing High School Education in Medan, I want to continue my study, and at the time there was only one possibility, namely Technical Faculty, University of Indonesia (now ITB), and at that time the facilities and infrastructures is still limited, so that very difficult to go to Java. Without strong support from my parents I might not be able to study at the Technical Faculty, University of Indonesia and get Civil Engineering Degree (Engineer). MSCE degree was awarded from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky, under the Supervision of the well known Prof. BO Hardin, received a PhD and Professor in the field of geotechnical engineering of ITB. Professor emeritus of ITB since 2007.
So, the Title of my degree is C.E. (Ir), MSCE, Dr.
My Professional Affiliation:
– Member of SEAG since 1970.
– Member of Indonesian Society of Geotechnical Engineering, which was established in December 1975 and became the first President for 15 years. My Life Member of ASCE: P.E. Aff. M ASCE.
Prof. Ani : Could you mention your experiences in education, research and practitioners / professional?.
Prof. Azis: It Is OK, Prof. Ani, more than 55 years of teaching in soil mechanics and foundation engineering (geotechnical engineering), mostly at ITB, and also with Parahyangan University in Bandung. I also have joint supervisions of PhD students in geotechnical engineering with you in the Civil Engineering PhD Program, Engineering Faculty, where you are as the Head there. Nice academic atmosphere in your program.
Prof. Ani: Other experience Prof?
Prof. Azis: – Members of the team of Borobudur Restoration Project, established by the Ministry of Education and Culture, worked together with the UNESCO expert team for about 8 years (1973-1983), assigned as a geotechnical expert.
– As a geotechnical engineer, I was assigned to restore large differential of 3-storey hotel building, Sabang Hotel in Jakarta (around 1969-1970) founded on uneven compressibility characteristics of soft soil underneath; the type of raft footing was designed by consultant. Redistribution of load had to be applied by enlarging the original raft in appropriate manner.
– Large differential settlement of a 3-storey Bank building had to restored, located in West Kalimantan (Pontianak) with a very soft soil underneath contained organic (thickness of more than 20 m). The foundation raft was rigid type equivalent raft footing (called sarang Laba-laba). In this case, besides redistribution of load (s), the reinforcement of soil underneath was necessary the use of injected bentonit piles.
Prof. Ani : Who is the international geotechnical experts you have ever come across and you admire?
Prof. Azis: The geotechnical experts whom I have met and admire among others are: Prof. Bala, Prof. Fukuoka, Prof. Broms, Prof Moh, Prof. Ishihara, Prof. SL. Lee, Prof. Bergado, and all my colleagues in Indonesia among others Prof. Ani, Prof. Masyhur, Dr. FX Toha, Prof. Paulus, Prof. Chaidir Makarim, Mr. Beny Khumara, Mr. Soekrisno Ramelan, Mr. Rismantoyo, Mr. Sawarso, Mr. Hadi Husni Mr. Limasalle, Mr. Eric Lemmens etc
Prof. Ani : Last question Prof, how come you still look fresh, youthful and energetic at the age that could be said is not young again? And what is your favorite meal?
Prof. Aziz: I always give thanks to God Almighty for all his giving to me, thinking positive and optimistic always. Lumpia Semarang is my family favorite.
Prof. Ani: Thank you for your time and do not forget Prof Azis for next Monday there are Phd student under ours supervision will have examination. We have prepared all the tickets and accommodation and the driver will pick you up at the airport.
Prof. Aziz: Ok … Prof. Ani, thank you for reminding me, a Professor sometimes forget and need to be reminded, except you, Prof. Ani (he burst out laughing).
Prof. Azis and Former President Soeharto in National Palace
Prof. Azis and Prof. Ani with New PhD Graduate under our Supervision
After Closed Examination of PhD Student. From left: Prof. Chaidir Makarim (No.2), Prof. Azis (No.3), Prof. Masyhur Irsyam (No.4) and Prof. Ani (No.6)
Prof. Azis and Prof Ani in the meeting room of Civil Engineering Doctorate Program, Diponegoro University
