The scientific oration event, held as part of the 36th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM) at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), successfully took place at the Prof. Sudarto S.H. building, UNDIP Tembalang campus (Thursday, 24/10). The oration, themed “Advancing Science for a Brighter Tomorrow,” featured three prominent speakers: Prof. Dr. Widowati, S.Si., M.Si., a professor from FSM UNDIP; Bukit Yuta Wirawan, S.Si., Project Manager of the Hyperlocal Ecosystem Team at BRI Headquarters; and Roy Wibisono Anang Prabowo, S.Si., CEO of PT Naruna.
Prof. Dr. Kusworo Adi, S.Si., MT., Dean of FSM UNDIP, expressed his gratitude and appreciation in his opening speech, particularly to senior deans who laid a strong foundation for the faculty.
“FSM remains committed to being at the forefront of science and technology development, not only focusing on academic advancements but also delivering innovative solutions with real-world impacts,” he stated.
Over the past 36 years, FSM UNDIP has evolved into a distinguished faculty excelling in research and technological innovation. It has contributed significantly to UNDIP’s vision of dignity and utility through various innovations, including Nano Silica Fertilizer by Prof. Dr. Agus Subagio, S.Si., M.Si., Plasma D’Ozone Technology by Prof. Dr. Drs. Muhammad Nur, DEA, Floating Net Cages by Prof. Dr. Sapto Purnomo Putro, M.Si., Ph.D., Essential Oil Products by Prof. Dr. Hermin Pancasakti K. S.Si., M.Si., Crystallographic Batik by Prof. Dr. Widowati, and the IndoQ CT application by Dr. Choirul Anam, S.Si., M.Si., F.Med.
“We take pride in these achievements but must look ahead to continually innovate and contribute to advancing science and technology for the broader society,” Prof. Kusworo emphasized.
“We hope that the 36th Anniversary will serve as a momentum to strengthen collaboration, positive contributions, and progress toward more remarkable achievements in the future. UNDIP Bermartabat, UNDIP Bermanfaat,” he concluded.
At the same event, UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., highlighted FSM’s central role in UNDIP’s research endeavors. He praised the faculty’s impactful innovations, which stem from the brilliant minds of its faculty and students.
“I am delighted by technologies like nano ozone, nano silica fertilizer, and other popular innovations, including the FSM-led collaboration across faculties to create the Bio Smart and Safe Bus during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
Prof. Suharnomo encouraged making pure sciences more appealing by aligning them with societal needs. “With 2% of our lecturers among global scientists, this is a challenge we must embrace. Students must be engaged to align their studies with evolving scientific developments. Faculty should involve students in laboratory research projects that yield outputs such as student creativity programs (PKM),” he added.
“UNDIP really expects the role of FSM to be more as the backbone for scientific research. The challenge for UNDIP lecturers is that they ultimately work to inspire or work to provide examples. So that their students can get a picture of the future after graduating,” said the UNDIP Rector.
“There are so many products from FSM that the community can enjoy. UNDIP really appreciates FSM for its many works and achievements to support UNDIP in being dignified and useful,” said Prof. Suharnomo when meeting reporters.
The scientific oration included inspirational presentations from the three speakers. Bukit Yuta Wirawan, S.Si., a physics graduate (1999–2004) who works as a Project Manager of the Hyperlocal Ecosystem Team at BRI Central Head, stated that although sciences or FSM graduates were once looked down upon, it has something to be proud of. According to him, science is an art of understanding, not memorizing. “Not only understanding but memorizing, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation, creation. Of course, everyone has their success, namely by advancing science for a better future,” explained Bukit.
Furthermore, Roy Wibisono (CEO of PT Naruna) admitted his pride as an alumnus of Chemistry FSM UNDIP who graduated in 1998, and his success to date began with his Final Assignment, which could lead him to become a ceramic exporter to 16 countries. “Because I can research and create ceramic formulations so that my products can be 3 steps ahead of all ceramic factories in the world,” said Roy.
At the end of the oration session, Prof. Widowati explained about Collaboration for Downstreaming Research Results: Optimization of Crystallography Products. She described the innovation of crystallography batik motif design and the innovation of embossed wall ceramic motif design – self-cleaning crystallography. The term crystallography is commonly known as complex geometric patterns with shapes that resemble crystal structures. For example, triangles, hexagons, or other polygon patterns create patterns reminiscent of the arrangement of atoms in crystals.
“The application of crystallographic batik motif design innovation uses crystallographic canting stamp. So, by innovating, various unique and creative batik motifs are created using the concept of symmetry groups. Application of symmetry group theory, namely two-dimensional crystallography, in making motifs on batik stamp cloth. The shape of the object on a flat plane that is changed by the translation, rotation, reflexive, or glide-reflection generator is replaced with a basic motif,” Prof. Widowati explained.
“So the conclusion is that improving the quality of research can be done through a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary & transdisciplinary approach; the integration of mathematics, art, science, and technology is exciting to study further and collaborate with business partners for commercialization of research products,” said Prof. Widowati. (DHW-Public Relations)
