Semarang – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable energy development by initiating a strategic collaboration with PT. Natra Abadinugraha Utama (Aircraft Support), a leading company in aviation support services. The inaugural meeting of this collaboration took place on Friday (12/13) at UNDIP Vocational School. It included a visit by the company team to the Biodiesel Miniplant of the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (Teknologi Rekayasa Kimia Industri / TRKI) program at UNDIP.
The TRKI Biodiesel Miniplant serves as a center of excellence for renewable energy technology development. Andrew Soemantri, who serves as the Managing Director of PT. Natra Aircraft Support and two of its staff members attended the visit. They were accompanied by Dr. Susilo Adi Widyanto, S.T., M.T., a lecturer from the Department of Mechanical Engineering UNDIP, who guided the exploration of the Biodiesel Teaching Factory (TeFa) facilities.
Andrew Soemantri expressed his enthusiasm for the potential collaboration.
“We see significant opportunities in developing B100 biodiesel as an alternative fuel for technical aircraft support, such as gensets. This effort aligns with the aviation industry’s need for more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy solutions,” he said.
As a prominent provider of aircraft maintenance services, component procurement, and technical solutions, Natra Aircraft Support aims to lead innovation in renewable energy technology, addressing the growing urgency of environmental challenges.
The TRKI program at Vocational School UNDIP plays a crucial role in driving innovation in sustainable energy. The Biodiesel Miniplant is not only a learning facility for students but also a hub for research and development of advanced fuel technologies.
Head of Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program, Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., shared his optimism for the collaboration. “This partnership is a vital step toward delivering environmentally friendly energy solutions, particularly for the aviation sector. We are confident that the innovations developed through the Biodiesel Miniplant will bring significant benefits to both industry and the environment,” he said.
The initiative also involved various stakeholders, including lecturers from the Mechanical Design Engineering (Rekayasa Perancangan Mekanik / RPM) Study Program, Didik Ariwibowo, S.T., M.T., and TRKI students Farhan Gimnastiar Maslihan, Abraham Mario Natari, and Rofik Wahyu Hidayat. According to Didik, the collaboration provides students with hands-on experience in research and development of renewable energy solutions, equipping them to tackle global energy challenges.
The synergy between UNDIP and Natra Aircraft Support is expected to encompass joint research, technology development, industrial applications, and capacity-building programs for students. “We believe this collaborative effort will create tangible impacts in supporting a greener future and energy sustainability,” Endy concluded.
This partnership underscores UNDIP’s dedication to driving change through innovation and fostering strategic collaborations to deliver sustainable solutions for various industries. (Endy-SV; ed. DHW)
