Prof. Arismunandar, born in Semarang, Indonesia on November 19, 1933, is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He is a former President (1988-1997) of the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITP), former Vice-Chairman (1978-1989), Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), and former Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia (1998).

He graduated as a Mechanical Engineer (1959), University of Indonesia, MSc in Mechanical Engineering (1960), Purdue University (USA), post-graduate studies at Stanford University as a Research Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering (1961-1962), and participated in a training course on rocket propulsion in Japan (1965).

He is a member of the Indonesian National Research Council; member of the People’s Consultative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (1992-1997); member of the Consultative Board of the Indonesian Islamic Council; senior scientist for the Indonesian Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology and Advisor for Technology of Indonesian Aircraft Industry since 1979. He is member of following bodies: National Energy Committee; National Telecommunication Council; Society of Indonesian Engineers; World Energy Conference; Indonesian National Committee; Society of Automotive Engineers of Australasia; Japan Society of Automotive Engineers; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Indonesian Space Society; Society of Automotive Engineers of Indonesia (founding member); Indonesian Aeronautics and Astronautics Institute; Advisory Board, Journal of Indonesian Aeronautics and Astronautics Institute; and Chief Editor, “TEKNOLOGI” Magazine. In addition, Professor Arismunandar has been an advisor to a number of industrial and engineering companies and a Consultant for the Indonesian National Atomic Energy Agency.

He has published 13 books, presented over 100 papers at international and national conferences, symposia and meetings throughout the world.

He was awarded four (1968, 1983, 1989 and 1992) Satyalancana Dwidya Sistha medal of merits by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia. He was also awarded the following national medals of Indonesia; Satyalancana Karya Satya 1^st Class (1990), Satyalancana Karya Satya for 30 years of service, and Bintang Jasa Utama (1998).

Prof. Arismunandar is a Founding Fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences (1986).