UNDIP, Nusakambangan (20/6) – The Rector of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) emphasized that higher education institutions must be capable of addressing the real needs of society. This commitment has been realized through UNDIP’s development of seawater desalination technology, which converts seawater into drinking water and is now being used to meet drinking water needs in Nusakambangan. The installation has a production capacity of more than 20,000 liters of drinking water per day, sufficient to meet the needs of inmates and personnel at correctional facilities in the Nusakambangan area, which has long faced challenges obtaining a reliable supply of drinking water.
The presence of this technology addresses one of the fundamental needs for the region’s development, which has historically faced limitations in clean water supply. Within the broader food security ecosystem encompassing agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, access to safe drinking water is crucial to supporting sustainable activities and rehabilitation programs for inmates.
UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., stated that the implementation of desalination technology in Nusakambangan demonstrates how university research can provide practical solutions to real-world challenges faced by communities.
“For us, the success of research is not measured solely by publication in scientific journals, but by the extent to which its benefits are truly felt by society. The presence of desalination technology in Nusakambangan shows that university innovation can become part of the solution to meeting people’s basic needs,” he said.
The desalination technology was developed by Prof. Dr. Ir. Nyoman Widiasa, S.T., M.T., Professor of Chemical Engineering at UNDIP’s Faculty of Engineering. The innovation was designed to address the drinking water needs of Nusakambangan, which has traditionally depended on water supplies transported from outside the area.
According to Prof. Nyoman, UNDIP’s role extends beyond designing the technology to supporting its implementation and daily operation.
“UNDIP has been involved from the planning stage and construction of the installation through to operational assistance. We want to ensure that this technology can be used sustainably by local operators in the long term,” he explained.
Prof. Nyoman noted that development of the desalination system began in January 2026, followed by construction of the facility in April, and the system was subsequently completed and made operational to serve the drinking water needs of Nusakambangan.
One of the system’s key advantages is its use of solar panels as the primary energy source for operations. In addition to reducing electricity costs, the use of renewable energy makes the system environmentally friendly and particularly suitable for coastal and island regions that face limited access to freshwater resources.
Beyond introducing the technology itself, UNDIP has facilitated knowledge transfer by involving inmates in operating the desalination facility.
“We also provide training for inmates who are approaching the completion of their sentences. The program is currently in its second phase. The first group we trained has already been released. We hope the skills they acquire will serve as valuable assets when they return to society,” Prof. Nyoman said.
The desalination technology developed by UNDIP has been implemented in several coastal regions facing clean water challenges, including the regencies of Jepara, Demak, Brebes, Rembang, and Pekalongan. These experiences have provided a strong foundation for UNDIP in developing desalination systems tailored to the needs of coastal communities across Indonesia.
On the occasion, the UNDIP Rector accompanied Agus Andrianto, Indonesia’s Minister of Immigration and Corrections, and Siti Hediati Soeharto, Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), during the inauguration of the desalination facility’s operations. The delegation also visited several vocational training centers (Balai Latihan Kerja – BLK) and production units in Nusakambangan, which form part of the area’s rehabilitation-based food security development program.
Through the implementation of desalination technology in Nusakambangan, UNDIP hopes that innovations originating from the university will not merely remain research outputs but will evolve into practical solutions that deliver tangible benefits to society while supporting national strategic programs.
The desalination project in Nusakambangan demonstrates how university research can be transformed into real-world solutions. In line with the spirit of “Impactful Higher Education in Science and Technology” (Diktisaintek Berdampak), this innovation not only supports clean water availability and community empowerment but also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Through research, commercialization and implementation that generate tangible benefits for society and national development, this initiative embodies UNDIP’s tagline: Noble and Valuable UNDIP. (UNDIP with Dignity, UNDIP for the Benefit of Society). (Public Communication/UNDIP/Ninok, edited by Nurul)