Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Tudjono MS’s dedication as a professor specializing in Structural Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, has undoubtedly been evident since his appointment in 2018, especially in his research focus on “Strengthening using FRP, Modeling, and Finite Element Analyses.” Now, it is felt that he has entered his retirement phase.
As a form of appreciation and honor for the contributions and dedication he has given, Undip held an Open Session of Academic Retirement on Wednesday (03/04) at the Prof. Soedarto, S.H. Building, Undip Tembalang Campus. During the event, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Tudjono MS had the opportunity to share the journey of his career from joining UNDIP until his retirement as one of UNDIP’s Professors.
His career began in 1980 when he became a teaching staff member as an assistant in land surveying, armed with a bachelor’s degree. In September 1980, he attended a satellite image interpretation education at PUSPIC UGM Bakosurtanal for nine months.
“I express my gratitude because I was not just an average graduate but was accepted as an assistant at UNDIP, making my parents very happy and proud,” said Prof. Sri Tudjono.
He then pursued his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering Structures at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in the 2nd batch, graduating in 1986.
His experience started when he became the Secretary of the Civil Engineering Department. Along with computer enthusiast students, he formed the Computer Application Study Group (Kelompok Studi Aplikasi Komputer/KSAK). KSAK hoped to develop software beneficial for civil engineering building planning. Eventually, a structural analysis program was developed that could analyze buildings with up to 8 floors.
“This program felt like a leap from manual analysis, which took around 2 to 3 weeks. With the program we developed, from input to output results, it took about 1 hour even with just a 256 Kbyte PC. The structural analysis software developed by KSAK, although used without permission at the time, already brought pride to its developers,” he continued.
In 1993, he was assigned to pursue his PhD at ITB and became one of the KSAK supporting students who became assistant lecturers for doctoral studies in Japan. Over time, KSAK transitioned into computer software course tutors until now. The development of software goals came to a halt.
His doctoral studies ended in 2005. On April 21, 2018, nearing retirement, he was appointed a professor with his oration on “Conventional Concrete Strengthening, Using Carbon Fibre.”
“Looking ahead, hopefully, young educators as successors can continue and even develop new software. Especially with the existence of the Department of Computer System Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, research collaboration can be built between departments on software to develop patents, even towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. All data can be digitalized, including software activities, which is also a form of digitization,” concluded Prof. Sri Tudjono. (DHW-Public Relations)
