UNDIP, Semarang (12/3) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) held a Media Gathering with dozens of national and local journalists to strengthen collaboration in disseminating research-based innovations produced by the UNDIP academic community, particularly a stunting-prevention baby food innovation. This innovation is the result of a research project led by Gemala Anjani, S.P., M.Si., Ph.D., with team members Dr. Fitriyono Ayustaningwarno, S.TP., M.Si. and Ahmad Syauqy, S.Gz., M.P.H., Ph.D., dietitians from the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro.
The event, themed “UNDIP Strengthens Synergy with Journalists to Disseminate Noble and Valuable Innovations for Society,” was held at the Rector’s Meeting Room, 2nd Floor of the Widya Puraya Building, UNDIP Tembalang Campus, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and was attended by more than 30 journalists from local and national media outlets.
In his remarks, the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., emphasized that universities and the media share a common role in conveying truth to the public. “If journalists deliver journalistic truth through verification processes, universities deliver scientific truth through research. Since both deal with truth to enlighten the public, collaboration between academia and the media is essential,” he stated.
He further explained that, as a research university, UNDIP continuously encourages research outcomes not only to be published as scientific papers but also to provide tangible benefits to society. “The reproduction of knowledge within universities must ultimately result in real benefits for society. That is why innovation is at the core of UNDIP scholars’ work,” he added.
He also highlighted that various UNDIP innovations have contributed solutions to societal challenges, ranging from seawater desalination technology for coastal communities to innovations in the food and health sectors.
One of the featured innovations presented during the media gathering was a research product in the field of food and nutrition, introduced by Dr. Fitriyono Ayustaningwarno, S.TP., M.Si., a food science expert from the Faculty of Medicine UNDIP. The product, called Nutri Sun D3, is a complementary feeding product for infants (MPASI) made with local ingredients, developed to help prevent stunting while also serving as emergency food in disaster situations.
Dr. Fitriyono explained that stunting is a growth disorder caused by chronic malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, which can lead to reduced cognitive ability, impaired physical development, and decreased productivity in adulthood.
“This Nutri Sun D3 product is a complementary food that can help prevent stunting in infants and toddlers, and at the same time be utilized as emergency food in disaster situations,” he explained.
The product is formulated with various nutritious ingredients, including soy protein isolate, sweet potatoes as a carbohydrate source, and vegetables such as spinach and broccoli. It is enriched with vitamin D3 to support the immune system and child growth. What distinguishes this product from conventional complementary foods is the use of freeze-drying technology, which preserves nutritional content, color, and taste while extending shelf life.
Dr. Fitriyono added that the product has been tested during a flood disaster emergency in West Sumatra in 2025. “In that trial, this complementary food was given to infants and toddlers for 15 days, and the results showed that children’s weight did not decrease; in fact, some experienced weight gain,” he said.
Currently, the Nutri Sun D3 product is still undergoing the process of obtaining distribution permits before it can be produced on a larger scale and widely utilized by the public. Through this media gathering, UNDIP hopes to continue strengthening its collaboration with the press so that innovations produced by its researchers can be widely disseminated and deliver real benefits to society. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Hng)
