UNDIP, Semarang (August 27, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro held an Open Session of the Academic Senate to mark the Purna Adi Cendekia ceremony at Prof. Soedarto, S.H. Hall, Tembalang Campus. A day after honoring three professors, the university paid tribute to four senior academics completing their service: Prof. Drs. Tarmizi Achmad, M.B.A., Ph.D., and Prof. Drs. Agusty Tae Ferdinand, M.B.A., D.B.A. (Faculty of Economics and Business); Prof. Drs. Mustafid, M.Eng., Ph.D. (Faculty of Science and Mathematics); and Prof. Dr. Ir. Slamet Budi Prayitno, M.Sc. (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science).
UNDIP Rector, the Chair of the Academic Senate, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Vice-Rectors, the Board of Professors, Deans of Faculties and Schools, and university leaders, all pay respect to the academic journeys of the retiring professors.
In his opening remarks, Chair of the Academic Senate, Prof. Ir. Edy Rianto, M.Sc., Ph.D., I.P.U., expressed appreciation for the professors’ dedication and hoped they would continue to inspire future generations of scholars.
UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., voiced deep admiration for the retiring professors, calling them extraordinary figures and role models with high academic and moral standards. “From their speeches, we can hear the thread of wisdom that must be passed down to the younger generation,” he said. He emphasized that the university’s guiding values—’Noble and Valuable’—reflect the true calling of a lecturer: to teach with heart, passion, and dedication.
Prof. Suharnomo also highlighted that research should not remain in laboratories but should bring tangible benefits to society. Closing his address, he hoped the wisdom and legacy of the professors would remain a valuable guide, reminding all that knowledge and service must ultimately serve humanity and the nation.
Each professor delivered a reflective scientific oration. Accounting expert, Prof. Drs. Tarmizi Achmad, M.B.A., Ph.D., warned of fraud as a grave threat, even within education. He likened it to poison corroding from within or a small fire that could engulf an institution.
He stressed integrity as the proper safeguard of trust, ensuring a university’s honor not only in academic circles but also before the Creator. This reflective message concludes Prof. Tarmizi’s journey as a Professor at UNDIP, as well as a reminder that true success is born from truth and moral responsibility, not from deception.
Marketing management professor, Prof. Drs. Agusty Tae Ferdinand, M.B.A., D.B.A., reflected on his journey since becoming a student in 1975 until earning the rank of professor. For him, a lecturer is not merely a classroom instructor but a torch igniting curiosity and shaping independent thinkers. He emphasized that when an educator stops reading, writing and studying, his academic calling dies.
Prof. Agusty cautioned against plagiarism and declining academic standards, which have the potential to harm the nation’s future. He urged that actual professors are born of honesty, hard work, research, and service, with academic integrity as the foundation of a dignified generation.
Statistician and information systems scholar, Prof. Drs. Mustafid, M.Eng., Ph.D., reviewed the development of statistics and machine learning research. He explained that the essence of intelligent analytics lies in the ability to read phenomena, analyze them, and make informed decisions quickly and accurately in the era of big data.
Furthermore, Prof. Mustafid introduced intelligent analytics and digital intelligence as new paradigms in research and education, underpinning innovations such as e-commerce, the metaverse, blockchain, and smart sensor technologies. He concluded that knowledge should not stop at publication but must deliver tangible benefits to life and civilization.
Aquaculture expert, Prof. Dr. Ir. Slamet Budi Prayitno, M.Sc., recalled his long journey at UNDIP. “UNDIP is the home where I grew, studied, served, mentored students, and expanded my scientific network to the international level,” he said.
His research and teaching in fish health contributed not only to academia but also to national food security, with innovations such as immunostimulants, herbal medicines, and guidelines for fish health management. He closed by affirming that retirement marks only a passage of time, as a teacher’s dedication lives on through relationships and shared knowledge.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of Purna Adi Cendekia plaques by the Rector and the Chair of the Academic Senate. The solemn moment grew more moving as the song “Bagimu Negeri” filled the hall, evoking pride and gratitude for the professors’ lifelong contributions to UNDIP and the nation.
This second day of the Purna Adi Cendekia ceremony served as a reflection that a professor’s service does not end with formal retirement. Their intellectual legacy, values, and dedication will continue to inspire new generations and strengthen UNDIP’s path toward becoming a world-class university. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ DHW)
