In commemoration of the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, Diponegoro University (UNDIP) held a flag-raising ceremony at the Widya Puraya field, UNDIP Tembalang Campus. This year’s ceremony, held on Saturday, August 17, was themed “New Archipelago, Advanced Indonesia.” The celebration was further enlivened by the presence of the entire academic community and educational staff at Diponegoro University, who wore various Red and White-themed or regional-themed attire, along with traditional competition ornaments.
The ceremony was led by the UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., who read an excerpt from a speech by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, B.A., M.B.A. The speech highlighted that Indonesia’s independence was the result of a movement toward a shared vision to advance education and culture. This mission must continue with a spirit of cooperation. He emphasized that while the Merdeka Belajar (Independent Learning) movement has made progress over the past five years, it still needs improvement, with many challenges ahead. Reflecting on Bung Karno’s message, he urged that the struggle to advance Indonesian education and culture must continue, with a strengthened resolve to propel Indonesia into the future.
Prof. Suharnomo further expressed his deep gratitude to all UNDIP staff, both those who work openly and those who work quietly, for their efforts in educating the nation’s children in various places. Their invaluable contributions are the backbone of our educational mission and are deeply appreciated.
“I would like to thank those who work in the laboratories, security personnel, cleaning staff, as well as the educators and others who selflessly work for the benefit of the nation’s children and contribute to their independence. This position has an extraordinary and noble task that requires effort and commitment, whether openly or quietly. We highly appreciate it,” said the Rector of UNDIP.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining this commitment, as “UNDIP is the final stop before these young individuals either run their own businesses or become qualified job seekers.”
Additionally, Prof. Suharnomo expressed deep gratitude for UNDIP’s recent efforts to support students, mainly by providing free education to students enrolled in the Fisheries and Marine Business Technology program at the Jepara Campus. He praised the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) for their hard work in finding partners to fully optimize the 53-hectare Jepara Campus as a center of excellence. He hoped that PSDKU UNDIP in Jepara would indeed become a center of excellence in Asia and noted that these efforts were already being executed this week. Similarly, the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences (FPP) has provided free education to most students in the Agribusiness program at PSDKU Batang.
During the ceremony, honors and certificates of the Satyalancana Karya Satya were awarded to 301 faculty members and educational staff. Awards were also given to UNDIP students who had achieved excellence at both national and international levels.
At the end of the ceremony, the Vice Rector for Resources, Dr. Warsito Kawedar, S.E., M.Si., Akt., announced the winners for the Best Ceremony Unit/Institution/Faculty based on indicators such as attendance, neatness, and solemnity during the ceremony. The first place, with a score of 890, was awarded to the Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences (FPP). The second place, with a score of 845, went to the Faculty of Engineering (FT).
In the second category, for the most enthusiastic participants, based on indicators of excitement, unity, and enthusiasm, the winner, with a score of 900, was the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), and the second place, with the same score, was the Vocational School (SV). The third category, for the most creative participants, with a score of 760, was won by the Faculty of Medicine and RSND. The prizes were presented directly by the Rector of UNDIP to the winners, represented by the respective Deans of each faculty, who received one unit of a VIAR New Karya motorcycle. (DHW – Public Relations)
