Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) agreed to establish a partnership with Badan Karantina Indonesia on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in the Rector’s Conference Room at the Widya Puraya Building, UNDIP Tembalang Campus. This collaboration focuses on synergy in the development of quarantine, education, research, and technology.
The partnership was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNDIP, represented by Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., and the Badan Karantina Indonesia, represented by its Head, Dr. Ir. Sahat Manaor Panggabean. The signing was witnessed by Riyono, S.Kel., M.Si., a member of Commission IV of the DPR RI from the PKS faction.
As a technical implementation of the MoU, a Cooperation Agreement on Human Resources Capacity Building, Science, and Technology Development was simultaneously signed by UNDIP’s Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., and the Principal Secretary of Badan Karantina Indonesia, Shahandra Hanitiyo, S.IP., M.Si.
UNDIP Rector Prof. Suharnomo expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Indonesian Quarantine Agency. “I warmly welcome this collaboration, and I hope it runs smoothly and is implemented to the best of our ability,” he stated.
This partnership further demonstrates UNDIP’s commitment to contributing to the nation through the development of research and knowledge by both students and faculty, which is in alignment with UNDIP’s tagline “UNDIP Bermartabat UNDIP Bermanfaat” (Dignified UNDIP, Beneficial UNDIP).
“Our research activities are extensive, and these efforts must not stop at the laboratory level. Research results should benefit society. For instance, we have implemented seawater desalination technology in Jepara, Demak, and Blora, turning brackish water into potable water, producing approximately 200,000 liters of clean water daily for residents. We also developed D’Ozone technology for farmers across Indonesia, which eliminates pesticide residues and improves the quality and shelf life of horticultural products like fruits and vegetables,” Prof. Suharnomo explained.
Dr. Sahat Manaor Panggabean, Head of Badan Karantina Indonesia, emphasized the agency’s role in preserving natural biodiversity and protecting national sovereignty through strong and professional quarantine measures. He highlighted the importance of support from all parties, including UNDIP’s academic community.
“As an institution that has been re-established with broader tasks and functions, we need collaboration with academia to enhance the quality and relevance of our quarantine efforts in line with scientific advancements,” he stated.
“Currently, our quarantine tasks are supported by university alumni who uphold high educational standards, including 55 alumni from UNDIP working within the agency,” he added.
Riyono, S.Kel., M.Si., an alumnus of UNDIP and a member of Commission IV of the DPR RI, expressed strong support for the partnership between UNDIP and Badan Karantina Indonesia. He underscored the importance of synergy between government institutions and academia in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, particularly in the field of quarantine.
The MoU encompasses various key aspects, including data and information exchange, program coordination, capacity building, utilization of facilities and infrastructure, and research and technology development. Meanwhile, the Cooperation Agreement focuses on human resource and scientific capacity development to ensure immediate application in joint activities.
