UNDIP, Semarang (October 29, 2025) – Responding to significant challenges in Jawa Tengah, namely the issues of tidal flooding (rob) and the need for clean water in industrial areas, the Department of Political Science and Government, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), held a strategic Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The event carried the theme “Developing Large-Scale Desalination for Green Industry and Tidal Flood Management in the Northern Coastal Area of Jawa Tengah.”
The FGD, held today (Wednesday, October 29) from 12:30 to 15:30 WIB in the Senate Meeting Room of FISIP UNDIP, gathered key stakeholders from academia, government, and industry. The discussion was attended by representatives from the Jawa Tengah Provincial Government, Regional Development Planning Agencies (Bappeda) from related cities and regencies, regional water companies (PDAM), and UNDIP environmental experts.
The discussion was opened by Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, Dean of FISIP UNDIP, and Wijayanto, Ph.D., Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication, demonstrating the university leadership’s full support for this initiative.
The primary objective of this FGD was to gather insights from experts and relevant stakeholders to inform the formulation of a strategic policy recommendation (policy brief) for addressing tidal flooding in the northern coastal area of Jawa Tengah through the use of desalination technology, while also promoting the development of green industries.
The forum featured presentations from four main speakers. Dr. Zulkifli, Head of the Jawa Tengah Regional Development Acceleration Team, discussed “The Governor’s Commitment to Addressing Tidal Flooding and Developing Green Industry.” This session was followed by Prof. I Nyoman Widiasa, UNDIP’s desalination expert, who presented “Desalination Models for Tidal Flood Mitigation and Industrial Water Supply.”
From the business perspective, Dr. Aji Setya Budi, President Director of PT Tirta Utama Jawa Tengah, discussed “The Business Direction and Environmental Commitment of Jawa Tengah’s Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) in Providing Clean Water for Industrial Areas.” Meanwhile, Drs. Setyo Adip P., M.M., COO of Jatengland, highlighted “Industrial Area Needs for Clean Water Availability and Expectations for Tidal Flood Mitigation.”
The outcomes of this intensive discussion are likely to yield a comprehensive policy recommendation that will inform the Jawa Tengah Provincial Government and industrial stakeholders, aiming to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to the environmental and economic challenges in the northern coastal area of Jawa Tengah. (Public Communication/FISIP/Rifat)