Saturday, September 2, 2023, the Department of Environmental Engineering, Diponegoro University (DTL Undip) held the 2023 Eco-Tech Pioneer and Sustainability Award (EPSA) event. This event was part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Department of Environmental Engineering. It aimed to give awards to companies committed to creating technological innovations to maintain and protect the environment.
In this event, dozens of national and regional scale companies attended to share experiences and innovations in preserving the surrounding environment. Apart from that, the Environmental Engineering Department also collaborates with national figures, such as Prof. Sudharto P. Hadi, MES, Ph.D. from the PROPER Advisory Council (Company Performance Rating Program in Managing the Environment), to attend the top event which was held at the Novotel Semarang Hotel.
Head of the Undip Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Ing. Sudarno, S.T., M.Sc revealed EPSA was formed to praise companies that have succeeded in innovating in protecting the environment. According to him, the environmental care efforts shown by the industry have yet to be widely appreciated. “The implementation of EPSA is a form of our concern. Appreciation of the efforts made by the industry is still limited. So from that concern, on its 25th anniversary, the Environmental Engineering Department is holding for the first time awards for industries that innovate in the form of technology and their activities,” he said.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Undip, Prof. Ir. M. Agung Wibowo, M.M, M.Sc, Ph.D., welcomed the holding of this EPSA. For him, EPSA can encourage companies to continue making breakthroughs in protecting the environment, where such innovation is needed today. “Innovation is important because, in everyday life, nature also experiences limitations. “Therefore, innovation from companies is one way out so that we can continue our activities but not damage the environment,” continued Prof. Agung.
At this EPSA event, six main topics were raised: Green Power Innovation, Low Carbon Innovation, Eco-Hazard Innovation, Eco-Cycle Innovation, Hydro Smart Innovation, and Ecosystem Innovation. These topics are related to innovation in preserving nature and sustainable development. Prof. Agung hopes that the presence of EPSA can be a driving force for each company to continue to innovate and can provide academic benefits for the academic community in the Department of Environmental Engineering. “Hopefully, the results of this EPSA can become best practices that can enrich teaching materials and be utilized by students.”
Source: Faculty of Engineering Undip