UNDIP, Karimunjawa (August 28, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) once again hosted the 3rd Summer Course Tropical EcoDive, held from August 22 to September 2, 2025. The program offered hands-on learning experiences along the coast of the Jepara coastal area and the Karimunjawa Islands, where participants assessed coral reef ecosystems and contributed to restoration efforts.
The program involved 10 students from Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU), Japan, consisting of five male and five female students. They were accompanied by Prof. Hideki Hashimoto, Dean of the School of Undergraduate Biological & Environmental Science, and Prof. Hidetoshi Sato from Biological Science.
Launched in 2016 under the name Introduction to Scientific Diving (ISD), this collaborative program between KGU and UNDIP’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences has provided numerous international academic experiences. After being paused from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic, the program returned in 2023 under its new name, Summer Course Tropical EcoDive, supported by the World-Class University (WCU) initiative.
The activities included marine science classes at UNDIP’s Tembalang campus, coastal orientation at the Jepara campus, seven days of diving and coral restoration training in Karimunjawa, cultural introduction sessions in Semarang City, and public lectures. By choosing the Karimunjawa Islands, participants were able to study the relatively pristine and highly biodiverse ecosystems firsthand.
The program was organized by the Department of Marine Science at UNDIP’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science with instructors certified by ADSI, including Prof. Dr. Munasik (3-star), Bonifacius Arbanto, S.T., M.Si. (2-star), and Ardian Chamidy, S.Si., M.Si. (1-star). The marine science lecturers explained by Prof. Munasik (Coral Reef Ecology), Dr.rer.nat. AB Susanto, M.Sc. (Marine Plants), and Dr. Rudhi Pribadi, Dr. (Mangrove Ecology).
“This program not only introduces theory but also engages international students directly in coral reef conservation in the Karimunjawa Islands. It is a tangible form of UNDIP’s contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in 2020–2030,” said Prof. Munasik, the program coordinator and lead instructor.
Through this program, UNDIP demonstrates its commitment to integrating education, research, and community service. In addition to strengthening internationalization, this activity embodies UNDIP’s tagline on a global scale: “UNDIP, Noble and Valuable.” (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ Nurul)