UNDIP, Semarang (June 3, 2025) – The growing complexity of the professional world demands that universities produce not only intelligent graduates but also those equipped with the resilience to manage risks effectively. In response, the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Diponegoro (FT UNDIP) has established a strategic partnership with the Indonesia Risk Management Professional Association (IRMAPA) to strengthen risk management competencies within academic settings.
Far from being a mere formal agreement, the collaboration was immediately put into practice through an inspiring public lecture titled “Fundamentals and Essentials of Risk Management Toward Enhanced Competence.” Held on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Prof. Ir. Eko Budiharjo, M.Sc. Building, 3rd Floor, FT UNDIP Tembalang Campus, the event featured leading expert Prof. D.S. Priyarsono, Ph.D., who led a lively discussion with hundreds of students, academics, and professional practitioners in attendance.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Prof. Ir. Nita Aryanti, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., IPM, Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Engineering at UNDIP, and Charles R. Vorst, M.M., Chair of IRMAPA. This collaboration presents broad opportunities for developing training programs, certifications, and curricula focused on risk management, aligning with the demands of today’s professional landscape.
In her remarks, Prof. Nita expressed great optimism about the partnership. “This collaboration is a concrete step for our faculty to expand academic and professional networks while supporting our students in acquiring relevant and applicable additional competencies,” she said.
She highlighted FT UNDIP’s strong potential, particularly with its 12 departments, including the Department of Industrial Engineering, which supervises the Master of Industrial Engineering and Management (MTMI) program—the faculty’s largest postgraduate program. The partnership is expected to create specialized tracks that broaden competency options not only for Industrial Engineering students but across departments within the faculty.
Prof. Nita noted that UNDIP has already taken initial steps in risk management, including training and certification aligned with the SNI ISO 21001:2018 standard for faculty with additional administrative duties. “However, implementation is still suboptimal. With this collaboration, we aim to build a stronger foundation for producing graduates with robust risk competencies and to pave the way for future collaborations—particularly in capacity development and research in risk management,” she explained.
Echoing the sentiment, IRMAPA Chair Charles R. Vorst welcomed the partnership. “We’ve maintained communication with FT UNDIP for some time, including during joint conferences. IRMAPA sees this collaboration as a strategic step in preparing a generation of professionals ready to face complex challenges in the future,” he said.
Charles also noted that IRMAPA, founded in 2012, now has over 22,000 members across Southeast Asia. “We hope this small step leads to a significant impact—positioning Indonesia as a pioneer in risk management in the region. We want Indonesian students to become proactive, risk-aware future leaders,” he added.
In his lecture, Prof. Priyarsono emphasized that risk management has become a crucial additional skill. “Risk is not merely a threat—it can become an opportunity when managed wisely.” He introduced the SNI ISO 31000:2018 framework, which underscores the importance of principles, frameworks, and processes in comprehensive risk management.
“To make sound decisions, we must understand our capacity, risk appetite, and risk tolerance. These are the foundations of a resilient organization,” said Prof. Priyarsono, who also serves on IRMAPA’s Board of Supervisors and the Technical Committee for SNI ISO 31000 at the Indonesian National Standardization Agency (BSN).
He encouraged students to build their competitive edge by mastering skills not typically covered in formal coursework. “Certifications like the Qualified Risk Management Officer (QRMO) provide a critical advantage for graduates entering the global workforce,” he asserted.
As the moderator, Prof. Dr.rer.oec Arfan Bakhtiar, S.T., M.T., led an engaging and interactive discussion session. It concluded with a group photo session symbolizing a strong commitment to building an integrated ecosystem of education and professionalism.
This partnership between FT UNDIP and IRMAPA is expected to mark the beginning of a meaningful effort to strengthen human resource capabilities in risk management, aiming to produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also resilient in navigating professional uncertainties. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW; ed. NH)
