UNDIP, Semarang (December 15, 2025) – Today, Universitas Diponegoro dispatched clean water technology to disaster-affected areas in West Sumatra. The Rector of UNDIP, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., officially launched the initial shipment of water purification machines to address the community’s urgent need for clean water and sanitation.
Prof. Suharnomo expressed his appreciation to the innovator team, represented by Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Widiasa, S.T., M.T., who are involved in UNDIP’s humanitarian mission. Based on field observations, clean water is a critical need in addition to medical assistance.
“Based on conclusions drawn from the field, the need for clean water is extremely crucial. Therefore, today UNDIP is sending water purification machines to West Sumatra. In the future, they may be distributed to Aceh and North Sumatra as well. This is part of UNDIP’s comprehensive commitment—not only to support physical recovery and public health, but also to ensure that students affected by disasters can continue their studies through tuition fee waivers and living-cost assistance,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Widiasa explained that the technology sent by UNDIP comprises two types of machines: large- and small-capacity units. The large machines can process approximately 100–120 cubic meters of water per day, equivalent to 100,000–120,000 liters, serving around 5,000 people daily.
The smaller machines, with a capacity of approximately 2–5 cubic meters per day (2,000–5,000 liters per day), can serve around 250 people per day. These smaller units are designed to reach remote areas with limited distribution access and to be placed at evacuation posts.
“These machines process turbid floodwater into clean water suitable for sanitation needs. In the future, the system will be further developed to produce ready-to-drink water. We hope that this technology can be replicated into broader units so that our disaster preparedness continues to improve,” explained Prof. Nyoman.
To operate the equipment, UNDIP is collaborating with Politeknik Negeri Padang, which assists in identifying suitable locations and distributing the water. Water distribution will be carried out using water tanker trucks to communities in need.
The shipment of these clean water machines is supported by UNDIP funding and disaster-related community service schemes from Diktisaintek. One unit dispatched in the initial phase was funded by UNDIP and sent directly to Padang by land. Meanwhile, three additional units are currently in the completion process and are planned to follow up on several affected regions, including West Sumatra, Aceh, and North Sumatra.
As previously stated, to date, UNDIP has deployed two batches of volunteer teams on December 2 and December 10, 2025, consisting of medical personnel, doctors, paramedics, psychologists, and trauma healing teams. UNDIP has been working collaboratively with the UNDIP Alumni Association (IKA UNDIP) at disaster locations. The IKA Medica of the UNDIP’s Faculty of Medicine has also sent expert medical and surgical volunteers. UNDIP hopes that this assistance will provide tangible solutions for refugees during the recovery period. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW ed. Nurul)
