UNDIP, Semarang (Tuesday, 12/3) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) strengthened its collaboration with Suara Merdeka Network (SMN) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., and SMN CEO Kukrit Suryo Wicaksono, M.B.A. The event took place in the Rector’s Meeting Room at the Widya Puraya Building, UNDIP Tembalang Campus. Alongside this, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed between Prof. Suharnomo and SMN Newsroom Chief Editor Agus Toto Widyatmoko.
As the largest public university in Jawa Tengah and a leading national media company, UNDIP collaborates with SMN with the aim to address regional challenges through collaboration, particularly in the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely education, research, community service, and media development.
The event was attended by several key figures, including Rukardi (Deputy Chief Editor), Bambang Pulunggono (Business Director, SMN), Youlanda (General Manager of Social Media, SMN), Indah Suciana (Marketing and Communication Manager, SMN), Prof. Dr. Adian Fatchur Rochim, S.T., M.T. (Vice Rector for Human Resources, IT, Law, and Organization), and Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D. (Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication).
UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, expressed his gratitude to SMN for their trust and support for the collaboration with UNDIP.
“Your networking is your currency,” he said, emphasizing the value of sustainable networks and social responsibility. The collaboration and synergy built with Suara Merdeka Network will significantly benefit Jawa Tengah society.”
Prof. Suharnomo reaffirmed UNDIP’s commitment to being a center of knowledge that upholds dignity and benefits the community. “We already have internal media, but this collaboration will strengthen UNDIP’s values of dignity, benefit, and sustainability in Central Java,” he noted.
SMN CEO Kukrit Suryo Wicaksono, M.B.A., expressed pride in collaborating with UNDIP, describing it as one of Indonesia’s and Southeast Asia’s most renowned universities with a successful business entity.
“We must learn from the many points of collaboration that can be utilized. What UNDIP has and SMN lacks—and vice versa—will strengthen each other. For 70 years, SMN has served Jawa Tengah with its dynamics, acting as a business solution partner for regional challenges,” Kukrit stated.
He added that UNDIP, as an iconic higher education institution from Jawa Tengah, represents a globally recognized brand.
“This collaboration holds immense potential as SMN operates a network of 25 news platforms with 4 million weekly visitors, while UNDIP contributes extraordinary research, faculty expertise, and student innovation. Use SMN to help publicize UNDIP’s activities. This partnership will benefit both parties and advance Jawa Tengah,” he stated.
The Cooperation Agreement aims to enhance resource capacity, competency development, human resource quality, provision of experts, and institutional relations between UNDIP and SMN, supporting the Tri Dharma of Higher Education in the fields of education, research, and community service. The event concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photo between UNDIP and SMN leadership. (DHW)
