The event received high enthusiasm from international participants. A total of 74 participants from 27 countries participated, consist of 13 from Indonesia and 61 international participants. From that number, only 20 attended in person in Semarang, while the others participated online from various countries.

Through this program, participants received comprehensive training on integrated waste management systems, the concept of a circular economy, and the global political and economic dynamics that influence waste management in various countries. In addition to online academic sessions, participants attending in-person in Semarang City also explored various community-based waste management practices and modern waste processing technologies developing in Indonesia.

One of the main agenda items of this activity was a visit to the UNDIP Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST). There, participants observed firsthand the application of pyrolysis technology, which converts waste into valuable products, as well as a maggot cultivation system used to accelerate organic waste processing. This activity provided practical experience on how research-based innovation can be applied to support sustainable environmental management.

Participants also conducted a site visit to Kemudo Village, Klaten Regency, to learn about community-based waste management practices already in place at the village level. During the visit, they observed how community collaboration can build an effective waste management system while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to residents.

As part of the program evaluation, all participants presented their final projects, consisting of innovative ideas and solutions related to community-based waste management, in a final pitch session. It is hoped that the resulting ideas can inspire and be implemented in their respective countries as solutions to the increasingly complex global waste problem.

The Head of the UNDIP SDGs Center, Prof. Bulan Prabawani, said that this program is a concrete form of UNDIP’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education, research, and community service.

“This program is expected to become a strategic platform to strengthen international collaboration and encourage the development of sustainable innovation in the future,” he said.

Through this international Summer Course, UNDIP not only serves as a hub for global knowledge exchange but also introduces participants from various countries to innovative waste management practices emerging in Indonesia. This activity also reinforces UNDIP’s commitment to building an international academic network and delivering innovations that have a real impact on society and the environment, in line with the spirit of “Noble and Valuable UNDIP.” (Public Communications/SDGs Team)

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This collaboration represents a strategic step toward improving environmental management in healthcare facilities, particularly in the safe, effective, and sustainable handling of domestic waste and wastewater. Through this partnership, both parties are committed to developing waste management systems that meet environmental and health standards while supporting the principles of sustainable development.

UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., welcomed this cross-sector collaboration between higher education and healthcare services as an effort to enhance both environmental quality and public health. “In carrying out the Tri Dharma of Higher Education under the spirit of being noble and valuable, UNDIP is committed to contributing to environmental problem-solving through research, assistance, and the implementation of appropriate technologies,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Director of RSUD R.A. Kartini Jepara, dr. Tri Iriantiwi, noted that this partnership is an important step in improving hospital service quality while maintaining environmental sustainability. She also expressed appreciation for UNDIP’s support and facilities provided during the hospital’s 48th anniversary celebration.

The collaboration is expected to deliver several strategic benefits, including: improving standards for medical and domestic waste management in accordance with regulations; developing environmentally friendly wastewater treatment systems based on UNDIP research; leveraging UNDIP’s academic resources to support hospital operations and service innovation; and strengthening synergy between higher education institutions and regional healthcare services in Jepara Regency.

In addition to the MoU signing, the 48th anniversary celebration of RSUD R.A. Kartini also featured a series of supporting activities, including the Kartini Fun Run 2026 with around 3,000 participants, free health check-ups, blood donation drives, charity distribution for orphans and persons with disabilities, as well as the involvement of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

This cross-sector collaboration, held at the UNDIP Teluk Awur Campus in Jepara, is expected to strengthen further connections among the community, UNDIP, and RSUD R.A. Kartini Jepara. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Ut)

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Flooding in Central Java represents a clear example of such wicked urban problems. A single factor does not cause the issue but arises from a combination of interrelated conditions. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wiwandari Handayani, a member of the SMUS research team and an expert from UNDIP’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, explained, “Coastal areas face various types of flooding, ranging from tidal flooding, upstream land-use changes, to the lack of preparedness of urban drainage systems, especially in rapidly growing cities. In addition, rainfall frequency in many regions has increased, sometimes becoming extremely heavy due to natural cycle changes, which further worsens flooding,” she stated.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), rainfall in Central Java, including Semarang City, increased from predominantly 101–500 mm (moderate to high category) in December 2025 to predominantly 301–500 mm or more in February 2026, categorized as high to very high. At the same time, watershed conditions have become increasingly critical due to the expansion of built-up areas without adequate strengthening of drainage networks and water-retention facilities. Sedimentation along river channels has reduced water capacity, while the expansion of settlements in areas intended for water infiltration has increased surface runoff accumulation, further aggravating flooding.

As an example, Prof. Wiwandari described flooding in Kendal Regency. Parts of Kendal located within the Bodrikuto and Jratengseluna watersheds have experienced significant land-use changes, with an average annual conversion of open land to built-up areas reaching 15 percent. If these changes are not balanced by adequate drainage systems and optimal water absorption management, the risk and severity of flooding will continue to increase.

This complex situation highlights the urgency of integrated flood management from upstream to downstream. In this regard, flood mitigation must address root causes comprehensively. “Flood management must be proactive and oriented toward long-term needs, making it a systemic and sustainable effort,” said Prof. Wiwandari. One policy that can be promoted is implementing zero delta Q, which involves managing water resources to retain runoff so that peak flood discharge does not increase. In addition, controlling groundwater extraction in coastal areas is an important step to reduce the risk of land subsidence and worsening tidal flooding. Furthermore, Prof. Wiwandari emphasized that although short-term measures remain necessary to assist affected communities, such efforts must be balanced with long-term strategies. Therefore, development planning and risk control must be designed integratively to produce more comprehensive and effective flood management. (Public Communication/UNDIP/SMUS Research Team)

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The UB delegation was received by the UPT K3L UNDIP team at the UNDIP Circular Campus Studio (UCCS). It provided an overview of the waste management flow, from waste segregation at the faculty level to the processing of organic and inorganic waste, as well as various circular-economy–based innovations developed by UNDIP. The TPST area was also introduced as an open educational space that continues to be improved to become a more comfortable and representative public learning center.

In his remarks, the Head of UPT K3L UNDIP, Dr. Bina Kurniawan, S.K.M., M.Kes., expressed his appreciation for Universitas Brawijaya’s visit and reaffirmed UNDIP’s commitment to positioning TPST as an open learning laboratory. “TPST does not function merely as a technical facility, but also as a center for education, research, and collaboration. We open opportunities for students, lecturers, researchers, and external partners to engage in research, internships, and community service programs, so that TPST continues to develop as an inter-institutional laboratory,” he stated.

Dr. Bina further explained that UPT K3L was established in 2021 and serves as a strategic unit under the coordination of the Vice Rector for Planning, Finance, Assets, Business and Household. The implementation of K3L at UNDIP is based on three main pillars—occupational safety and health, healthy campus, and environment—strengthened through various internal regulations, including Rector Regulation No. 18 of 2025 on the Occupational Safety and Health Management System (SMK3) and Rector Regulation No. 5 of 2023 on Waste Management. UNDIP has also formed a K3 Task Force involving more than 160 certified lecturers and education staff to conduct inspections, safety patrols, and risk mitigation across all work units.

He also outlined several K3L service innovations, including the ‘Hero’ emergency application, healthy campus programs such as free health check-ups and mental health screening, strengthened healthy canteens, and smoke-free zones. In the environmental sector, the focus includes domestic and hazardous waste management, compost processing, maggot cultivation, pyrolysis, plastic recycling, and faculty research innovations such as plastic-to-fuel conversion and digital waste-sorting machines.

Meanwhile, the Head of the K3L Division of Universitas Brawijaya, Prof. Dr. Ir. Qomariyatus Sholihah, M.Kes., expressed her appreciation for UNDIP’s warm reception and regarded the visit as an opportunity to network and share best practices among universities. She explained that the benchmarking visit was part of UB’s commitment to strengthening internationally standardized K3 systems to create a safe and environmentally friendly campus. According to her, sustained synergy and collaboration between UB and UNDIP are essential to reinforce K3L systems and culture within higher education institutions. She also emphasized that UB’s K3L Division must serve as a role model, both internally and for the surrounding community—especially as the visit coincided with National Occupational Safety and Health Month.

Prof. Qomariyatus added that the visit to UNDIP was also motivated by UPT K3L UNDIP’s achievement in receiving the First Prize Award as Bhakti Husada Partner of the Year 2025 from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, in the category of Office Worker Health Protection, on December 8, 2025. “We want to learn directly from UNDIP’s best practices so that the strengthening of K3L at UB can be implemented in a more structured, gradual, and impactful manner,” she stated. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening K3L management systems as a moral responsibility to protect the academic community, in line with international standards such as ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

Prof. Qomariyatus further explained that UB’s K3L Division is still in the institutional strengthening phase and is developing various initiatives, including strengthening standard operating procedures (SOPs), increasing the number of certified personnel, and developing digital systems for monitoring safety facilities. She expressed hope that this visit would serve as the starting point for sustainable collaboration between UB and UNDIP in building campuses that are safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

This visit is expected to strengthen inter-university collaboration networks, particularly in the development of sustainable environmental management systems. Through this activity, Universitas Diponegoro reaffirms its role as a higher education institution that consistently delivers concrete solutions in occupational safety, health, and environmental management, while opening broader opportunities for collaboration toward the realization of green and sustainable campuses in Indonesia. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW)

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Through the Center of Marine Ecology and Biomonitoring for Sustainable Aquaculture (Ce-MEBSA), UNDIP integrates robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart dashboard systems to create aquaculture practices that are both productive and environmentally friendly.

This cross-disciplinary collaboration is led by Prof. Drs. Sapto Purnomo Putro, M.Si., Ph.D., from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, UNDIP, along with researchers Dr. Muhammad Helmi, S.Si., M.Si.; Erwin Adriono, S.T., M.T.; and Drs. Imam Kadarisman, M.Si. Together, they designed the Smart Robotic IMTA Cage, an advanced floating cage system with seven integrated smart robotic modules. These range from water quality sensors and security patrols to energy-efficient automatic feeding powered by renewable energy, all built with sustainability in mind.

The project has earned national recognition. The Smart Robotic IMTA Cage was named one of the 50 Most Prospective Innovations in Indonesia 2024, surpassing hundreds of other proposals. The technology is an advancement of the previously patented multi-tier floating net cage system, known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA).

UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., affirmed that Ce-MEBSA’s research is concrete proof of UNDIP’s standing as a world-class research university. “Innovation must continue to downstreaming and commercialization. With support from industry and stakeholders, the outcomes of this research can truly be felt by society,” he said.

Prof. Sapto, Head of the Biology Department at UNDIP’s Faculty of Science and Mathematics and a marine biology expert, noted that the success of this innovation stems from synergy and collaboration. “Cross-disciplinary research, partnerships with industry, and support from local governments are key to realizing modern aquaculture that is both productive and sustainable,” he explained.

The innovation is further strengthened through collaboration with PT Rekayasa Agromarin Indonesia (RAI), the Jepara Fisheries Agency, and other government and private partners. According to Drs. Imam Kadarisman, M.Si., President Commissioner of PT RAI, this partnership with UNDIP opens up vast opportunities for advancing modern aquaculture that is ready for field application.

Beyond the smart cage, UNDIP researchers have also developed “Dokter Ikan,” an Artificial Intelligence-based application that enables fish farmers to analyze species and diagnose diseases by simply uploading photos. This innovation supports food security, improves fishers’ livelihoods, and reduces losses for aquaculture businesses.

Ce-MEBSA also launched a Smart Dashboard that integrates smart feeders, water quality sensors, and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to monitor marine conditions in real-time. The system includes seven innovative modules: Smart Edu-Ecotourism, hybrid power generation, Smart Market, Smart Security, IoT-based water and weather sensors, Geoportal Coastal Environment, and the Integrated Smart Class—a floating classroom that enables students, researchers, and communities to learn directly from marine ecosystems.

Trials in the Thousand Islands, Karimunjawa, and Jepara yielded promising results, including improved fish growth, efficient feed utilization, more stable water quality, and even the repurposing of feed waste for shellfish and seaweed cultivation.

Through this approach, UNDIP not only produces advanced technologies but also opens new economic opportunities aligned with the principles of the blue economy—preserving marine ecosystems while improving coastal community welfare.

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 14 (Life Below Water) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), UNDIP demonstrates how research can bridge the gap between laboratories and communities. With the spirit of “Diktisaintek Berdampak,” UNDIP continues to assert its role as a university of Dignity and Benefit, delivering science-based solutions for the nation’s future. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ DHW)

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The technology was pioneered by Prof. Ir. Didi Dwi Anggoro, M.Eng., Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng., a lecturer at UNDIP’s Department of Chemical Engineering, along with a team from DIPO Fuel, supported by UNDIP’s Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), and three of his mentee students. Together, they designed a modular pyrolysis tool that processes plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment, integrated with a locally developed catalyst. As a result, various plastic materials—including water bottles and cups, utensils, food wrappers, shopping bags, styrofoam, and even cigarette wrappers—can be converted into valuable products such as liquid fuel, gas, and solid wax residue.

More than just a machine, this innovation embodies UNDIP’s commitment to its motto, ‘Noble and Valuable UNDIP.’ It aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education’s tagline for impactful science and technology, ‘Diktisaintek Berdampak,’ which aims to ensure campus research directly addresses real societal needs.

Prof. Didi explained that the equipment uses a hybrid heating system powered by used oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), allowing it to operate even during power outages. “Used oil requires a blower and electricity. If the power goes out, the system can switch to LPG as a backup fuel source. But used oil remains the preferred choice, as it supports our sustainability principle,” he said.

In a trial at UNDIP’s TPST K3L facility, the machine processed 37.5 kilograms of mixed plastic waste over eight hours at a controlled temperature of 443°C. The output included 12.5 liters of liquid fuel suitable for use in generators and modified stoves, as well as 2 liters of liquid wax that can be further processed into environmentally friendly paving blocks. Uncondensed gases, such as methane, are recycled to maintain the reactor’s temperature, resulting in a nearly zero-waste conversion process.

He further elaborated on how the pyrolysis system works. “The feed enters the reactor from the top, producing three outputs. The gas passes through two condensers to yield two types of liquid. Remaining gases are reused as heating fuel—nothing is wasted,” said Prof. Didi.

In addition, the remaining solid wax can also be repurposed. “The wax can be molded into paving blocks or other shapes as needed. In other words, all outputs—gas, liquid, and residue—are usable,” Prof. Didi added. Impressively, the system is designed for continuous operation with a capacity of up to 700 kilograms of waste per day.

From an efficiency standpoint, the innovation is remarkable. “The yield of liquid fuel from this catalytic pyrolysis device can reach up to 60%. This result has the potential to become a viable alternative energy source,” Prof. Didi noted.

With a practical, economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach, this innovation is not just a solution to the persistent problem of plastic waste—it represents a bridge between science and real-world problem-solving. It proves that change can start from a campus, from young minds, from anyone who believes that waste is not the end, but the beginning of new energy.

Through this tangible step, UNDIP not only showcases its contributions to waste management and energy resilience but also reinforces the role of universities as agents of impactful solutions to global issues, such as environmental crises and energy security. A university is no longer just a place of learning—it is a hub for real change. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ DHW)

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