UNDIP, Semarang (3/3) – Every year, the Campus Mosque of Diponegoro University (Maskam UNDIP) regularly organizes various activities such as pre-iftar religious studies and Tarawih prayers to enliven the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan 2026, UNDIP invited several inspiring alumni figures, including Dr. Sudaryono, Eng., M.M., MBA., Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia, who is familiarly known as Mas Dar, to deliver a religious sermon (tausiyah) at Maskam UNDIP.
The event was held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Maskam UNDIP before the Tarawih prayer. The event was attended by the Rector of UNDIP, the Maskam UNDIP Takmir Board, and other Tarawih congregations, predominantly UNDIP students.
In his remarks, UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., expressed his pleasure and gratitude for the Deputy Minister of Agriculture’s presence and for his willingness to deliver a sermon at Maskam UNDIP. Prof. Suharnomo also stated that the Deputy Minister is one of the best sons of Grobogan, the hometown of the UNDIP Rector. “I first met Mas Dar when we were both members of IMAGRO (Grobogan Student Association). I am proud that Mas Dar is one of Grobogan’s finest sons who now serves as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
Prof. Suharnomo also explained that UNDIP has become a Zero Waste Campus, and that UNDIP has implemented its own version of a free nutritious meal program through the Food Truck initiative on campus. “In line with the tagline ‘Noble and Valuable’, UNDIP has now become a Zero Waste campus. Waste generated on campus is processed into compost and other forms of energy, so UNDIP no longer contributes waste to the City of Semarang,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
“For the past four years, UNDIP has also implemented a free meal program for students receiving KIP-K scholarships and for underprivileged students. Hopefully, UNDIP’s free meal program can serve as a model for other institutions implementing similar initiatives, including the government’s Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG),” he added.
On this occasion, Mas Dar, who currently serves as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, expressed his happiness at delivering a sermon at Maskam UNDIP. He motivated the congregation by sharing that he is the son of a farmer from Grobogan who has now become the Deputy Minister of Agriculture. “My father was a farmer who did not graduate from school, but he was determined that his children should pursue the highest level of education. Because of that, I studied seriously and eventually continued my studies in Japan,” said Mas Dar.
With the theme“Ramadan: Strengthening Trust and Integrity in Achieving Food Security,” he explained that the current program of the President of Indonesia prioritizes the agricultural sector and national food self-sufficiency. “We can see that the global geopolitical situation is currently uncertain. As much as possible, we should not depend on other countries for our basic needs. Therefore, fulfilling the fundamental needs of the people through food self-sufficiency is extremely important,” he concluded. (Public Communication/UNDIP/AKS ed. As3)
