UNDIP, Semarang (October 11, 2025) – The Rector of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., delivered a scientific oration at the peak celebration of the 11th Anniversary of the Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia (ISBI) Aceh on Friday, October 10, 2025. In his speech, Prof. Suharnomo reaffirmed UNDIP’s full commitment to assisting and supporting ISBI Aceh’s transformation from a Government-Managed University (Satker) into a Public Service Agency State University (PTN BLU).
The event, themed “ISBI Aceh Toward BLU: Impactful in Arts and Culture”, marked a significant milestone for ISBI Aceh in strengthening adaptive, transparent, and performance-oriented governance. The UNDIP delegation accompanying the Rector included the Head of UNDIP’s Planning and Development Agency, Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwanto, DEA., and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Alamsyah, S.S., M.Hum., along with their team.
In his welcoming remarks, ISBI Aceh Rector Prof. Dr. Wildan, M.Pd., expressed his deep appreciation for UNDIP’s continuous support.
“We greatly appreciate UNDIP’s mentorship, which also strengthens institutional collaboration. Transformation into a BLU is an inevitability that will enable us to be more agile, innovative, and independent in managing our resources. This action marks a significant step in ensuring ISBI Aceh’s continued positive impact on arts and culture, both locally in Aceh and nationally. This collaboration can be further developed across various aspects of the Tri Dharma of higher education,” said Prof. Wildan.
Meanwhile, in his scientific oration, UNDIP Rector emphasized UNDIP’s unwavering commitment to accompanying ISBI Aceh in this crucial transformation process. With its extensive institutional experience, UNDIP is ready to collaborate in ensuring the success of this strategic initiative.
“As fellow state universities, Universitas Diponegoro is proud to support ISBI Aceh’s major step in transforming from a Government-Managed University to a Public Service Agency State University (PTN BLU),” said Prof. Suharnomo. “Through a spirit of collaboration, we hope to share experiences, build networks, and exchange inspiration so that higher education institutions in Indonesia—particularly ISBI Aceh—will be more prepared to meet future challenges,” he added.
UNDIP’s mentoring program for ISBI Aceh has been comprehensively designed and has been ongoing since late 2023. The process includes mapping, roadmap development, and concrete program design to enhance the quality of education, research, community service, and governance at ISBI Aceh.
UNDIP was appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology to assist ISBI Aceh’s transformation from a Government-Managed University (Satker) into a Public Service Agency State University (PTN BLU). The mentoring program, carried out in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, includes the preparation of Strategic and Business Plans and supporting documents. It also covers capacity-building activities, including academic writing, journal management, risk management, and preparation for new study programs, such as the planned Bachelor’s in History, for which ISBI Aceh already has adequate human resources and infrastructure.
During his oration at ISBI Aceh Campus, Jantho City, Aceh Besar Regency, Prof. Suharnomo underscored the importance of universities creating real benefits by providing tangible solutions to local problems—such as UNDIP’s projects in desalinating brackish water for drinking, developing saline-tolerant tilapia and rice, and building coastal flood barriers. He encouraged ISBI Aceh to advance arts and architecture that reflect Aceh’s rich cultural identity.
According to Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwanto, DEA., Head of UNDIP’s Planning and Development Agency and the mentoring program’s PIC, the collaboration with ISBI Aceh represents a tangible form of UNDIP’s contribution and has further strengthened institutional partnerships. Joint research projects between UNDIP’s Faculty of Humanities and ISBI Aceh have also been initiated, focusing on intangible cultural heritage and the establishment of the History undergraduate program led by Prof. Dr. Alamsyah and his team.
Reiterating his appreciation, ISBI Aceh Rector Prof. Dr. Wildan, M.Pd., warmly welcomed UNDIP’s continuous support. “UNDIP’s mentoring has also strengthened institutional collaboration. This partnership can be developed further across all aspects of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education,” he said.
Furthermore, the UNDIP Rector highlighted ISBI Aceh’s vital role in shaping a strong cultural ecosystem in Aceh. Amid the challenges of globalization, he emphasized that strengthening cultural studies is crucial for developing Indonesians with character and identity. ISBI Aceh aims to preserve its cultural heritage while adapting it to global innovation.
“ISBI Aceh should become a center for the development of arts and cultural studies that not only safeguards traditional heritage but also adapts to the times. In doing so, ISBI Aceh can bridge local cultural values with global innovation and become a reference point for art education institutions across Indonesia,” Prof. Suharnomo affirmed.
The collaboration between UNDIP and ISBI Aceh is expected to bring significant progress for both institutions and contribute meaningfully to strengthening higher education in arts and culture for national development toward Golden Indonesia 2045. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Riri, ed. Nurul)