UNDIP, Jakarta (October 27, 2025) – The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia presented the “Inspirational Santri” award at the prestigious “Pesantren Award 2025” held in celebration of National Santri Day. The awarding ceremony took place at the H.M. Rasjidi Hall, Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, MH Thamrin, Jakarta, on October 20, 2025.
The award was bestowed upon Khoirul Adib, a mahasantri (student with a pesantren background) currently pursuing a Double Degree Master’s Program in Urban and Regional Planning at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) and at the Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, Hiroshima University, Japan.
This recognition honors Adib’s intellectual excellence and contributions, as he exemplifies the ideal image of a modern santri—successfully harmonizing the noble values of pesantren tradition with mastery of technological innovation on the global stage. Adib consistently demonstrates that the santri identity can adapt and compete effectively in responding to the challenges of the modern era.
Academically, Adib has shown an impressive record. He was the Best Graduate of the Undergraduate Program in Information Technology at UIN Walisongo, achieving a GPA of 3.97 and winning the Best Thesis Award, with a specialization in Machine Learning and Smart City. As an LPDP scholarship awardee, his portfolio is further enriched by numerous international achievements, including:
- Student Mobility MOSMA Scholarship recipient at Rochester Institute of Technology, USA (2024)
- Gold Medalist, World Young Invention and Exhibition (WYIE), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2023)
- Silver Medalist, World Invention Creativity Olympic & Conference (WICO), Seoul, South Korea (2023)
- Gold Medalist, 1Idea1World Startup Competition, Istanbul, Turkey (2022)
- Silver Medalist, Pitch Battle Santri Fest organized by the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia (2022)
Recognition of Adib’s expertise extends beyond competitions. In 2024, he also served as a presenter at the Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies (AICIS) and a speaker at the International Symposium on Innovative Masjid (ISIM), both of which were organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
In an interview, Adib shared the key to his journey. “Dare to step out of your comfort zone and keep trying new things. It all started with a small dream, but with determination and hard work, I learned so much and eventually had the chance to compete and study in eight different countries,” he said.
For Adib, this achievement aligns with his alma mater’s vision, and he expressed deep appreciation for UNDIP’s role in his success.
“UNDIP has played a significant role in this journey—the lecturers, friends, and campus environment have always encouraged students to dream big and take action,” he added.
To fellow santri and young Indonesians, Khoirul Adib shared an inspiring message to take the initiative without hesitation. “Don’t wait to be perfect before you start. Just start, because the courage to take the first step is the beginning of every great achievement,” he concluded.
This spirit reflects UNDIP’s values of”Noble and Valuable UNDIP,” as Adib continues to bring pride to his alma mater on the global stage while applying his knowledge in Urban and Regional Planning for the betterment of society. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Riri)