UNDIP, SEMARANG (February 18) – The series of Inauguration Ceremonies of 36 Professors at Universitas Diponegoro, which began in January 2025, continues from February 18-20, 2025. On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, five professors from the Faculty of Engineering were officially inaugurated at the Prof. Sudarto, S.H. Building, UNDIP Tembalang Campus. The newly appointed professors are Prof. Dr. Ir. Nazaruddin Sinaga, M.S.; Prof. Joga Dharma Setiawan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.; Prof. Dr. Rifky Ismail, S.T., M.T.; Prof. Dr.Eng. Munadi, S.T., M.T.; and Prof. Dr.Ars. Ir. Rina Kurniati, M.T.
In his scientific oration, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nazaruddin Sinaga, M.S., an expert in Energy Conservation, highlighted the growing global energy demand and the limited availability of fossil fuel resources—oil reserves estimated to last 9.5 years, natural gas 19.9 years, and coal 65 years. In his presentation titled “Integration of Research and Innovation as a Solution for Energy Conservation in Indonesia,” he emphasized the necessity of energy conservation to address resource limitations, reduce environmental impacts such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and lower fossil energy costs. He stressed that achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060 requires a synergy of research and innovation to develop high-quality, sustainable energy conservation solutions.
“Currently, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Laboratory at Universitas Diponegoro has developed numerous innovations to support the national energy conservation program, including advancements in transportation, household energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Let us prioritize energy conservation together,” he stated.
Prof. Joga Dharma Setiawan, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., an expert in Control Systems, presented his research titled “OPTAN Boat Technology to Enhance Sustainable Marine Resource Management.” He discussed how Indonesia’s vast maritime territory, rich in fishery, mineral, and energy resources, is vulnerable to human threats such as illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling, and foreign intrusions, leading to environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation.
To address these challenges, Prof. Joga introduced the Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), a renewable energy-powered autonomous boat called OPTAN (Autonomous Wind Energy Propulsion). This innovative vessel utilizes wind and solar energy, operates silently without a motor or propeller, is environmentally friendly, and has an extended operational duration compared to conventional boats. He explained, “The development of OPTAN at UNDIP started with mathematical modeling of dynamic motion, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. To maximize its potential, the project requires collaboration among researchers and engineers from various disciplines.”
Prof. Dr. Rifky Ismail, S.T., M.T., an expert in Biomedical Engineering & Product Design with 226 international journal publications, showcased his research on the commercialization of bionic hand innovations. In his oration titled “UNDIP Bionic Hand Innovation as a Commercial and Beneficial Product,” he demonstrated the development process of the UNDIP bionic hand, from design to a functional product aimed at helping individuals with injuries or amputations regain their ability to work.
Prof. Rifky highlighted the contributions of undergraduate students, faculty members, and alumni in the research and commercialization process. “We are creating a locally made product tailored to the anatomy of Indonesian hands. The development process includes mechanical testing, simulation and modeling, prototyping, and clinical trials with medical professionals. This initiative follows a structured innovation roadmap,” he explained.
Prof. Dr.Eng. Munadi, S.T., M.T., a Mechatronics expert, delivered a speech titled “Mechatronics Engineering Innovations in Agriculture and Livestock to Support National Food Security.” He emphasized that national food security is a strategic issue influenced by population growth and climate change, yet modern technology adoption in agriculture and livestock remains limited. Therefore, mechatronic engineering innovations need to be developed to increase food productivity and quality.
“In agriculture, precision farming and automation based on Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and IoT can optimize melon cultivation in greenhouses through Smart Plant Monitoring systems. In livestock farming, IoT-based Smart Livestock Monitoring (SLM) for broiler chicken closed-house systems has proven to enhance maintenance efficiency,” he explained.
Finally, Prof. Dr.Ars. Ir. Rina Kurniati, M.T., an expert in Circular Supply Chain Management, presented her research titled “Sustainability of Historic Urban Spaces in Urban Planning and Design.” She discussed how rapid economic development has driven physical changes in cities, affecting urban spatial structures and morphology. The diverse and complex activities in city centers create spatial challenges, necessitating preventive measures to minimize damage and preserve historical value. “My research journey began in 1999 with studies on historic spaces in urban villages, particularly in Chinatown and the Old Town area,” she stated.
Prof. Rina further emphasized, “Cultural spaces hold deep meaning for local communities, serving as economic hubs and heritage symbols. These findings provide a foundation for urban planning policies that preserve historic districts while respecting local values.”
UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., expressed his appreciation for the professors’ dedication to research and their expertise in various fields. “UNDIP is currently planning the construction of a Jogging Track at the Universitas Diponegoro Stadium, a Twin Tower at the Tembalang campus, and the Pleburan Tower at the Pleburan campus. These projects benefit from the contributions of UNDIP’s experts, including our esteemed professors. Let’s continue supporting impactful government programs,” he concluded. (Titis – Media Relations)
