UNDIP, Semarang (July 21, 2025) – The Faculty of Humanities at Universitas Diponegoro (FIB UNDIP) held a national seminar titled “200 Years of the Diponegoro War: Inspiring the Spirit of Struggle for the Future of Universitas Diponegoro.” The event served as a reflection on Prince Diponegoro’s historic resistance and its ongoing relevance in shaping national character for future generations.
The seminar was conducted in a hybrid format, taking place in the Main Conference Room of the Faculty of Humanities at UNDIP and streamed live via a Zoom meeting, allowing students, faculty, and the general public from across Indonesia to participate.
Two prominent speakers shared their insights. Drs. Supriyo Priyanto, M.A., a researcher specializing in the history of Prince Diponegoro, examined the hero’s spiritual, social, and military dimensions in his opposition to colonialism. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Singgih Tri Sulistiyono, M.Hum., a professor at the Faculty of Humanities UNDIP, discussed Diponegoro’s values of moral courage, ethical leadership, and principled conviction as guiding forces for navigating global challenges.
The seminar opened with welcoming remarks and an introduction by event coordinator Aslama Nanda Rizal, S.Sej., M.Hum. The event was hosted by Atika Kurnia Putri, M.Hum., and moderated by Izmy Khumairoh, S.Ant., M.A.
The event was officially inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Alamsyah, M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UNDIP. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of reviving Diponegoro’s spirit of resistance amidst today’s crisis of moral leadership and value disorientation.
“As an institution bearing the great name of Prince Diponegoro, UNDIP holds a moral responsibility to preserve the nation’s collective memory and to cultivate future leaders with strong character,” he stated.
In his closing remarks, Drs. Supriyo Priyanto, M.A., urged the public to see the bicentennial of the Fall of Tegalrejo as a moment of awakening for UNDIP. Carrying Diponegoro’s legacy, the university should move forward with a spirit of resistance, self-reliance, and responsibility as a torchbearer for future generations. He emphasized that Prince Diponegoro is not merely a historical figure but a symbol of resistance that unites Islamic, Javanese, and nationalistic values.
Prof. Dr. Singgih Tri Sulistiyono, M.Hum., noted that the spirit of Diponegoro’s struggle—rooted in moral conviction, principled defiance, and alignment with the people—remains profoundly relevant. “To bring Diponegoro from Jawa Island to the national stage is to rekindle an ethical, visionary, and transformative resistance—an enduring source of inspiration for this generation and the next in building a sovereign, principled, and dignified Indonesia,” he said.
Through this seminar, the Faculty of Humanities UNDIP reaffirmed its commitment to reviving Diponegoro’s fighting spirit as a transformative force in shaping a dignified, ethical, and impactful national character. The event also marked the 200th anniversary of the Fall of Tegalrejo (July 20, 1825), which signaled the beginning of the Java War—one of the most pivotal moments in Indonesia’s anti-colonial history. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ Public Relations of FIB)