UNDIP, Semarang (October 30, 2025) – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) held a public lecture featuring the Minister of Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Natalius Pigai, M.A., M.Hum., as part of efforts to strengthen the understanding and practice of human rights values within the academic environment. The event, held at the FISIP Auditorium, UNDIP Tembalang Campus, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, was attended by university leaders, lecturers, and more than 450 students from various study programs, including postgraduate students interested in citizenship, Pancasila, and governance issues.
The presence of Minister Natalius Pigai not only inspired but also reaffirmed the academic community’s commitment to becoming agents of change who uphold humanitarian and social justice values at UNDIP.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between UNDIP, represented by Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., and the Ministry of Human Rights, represented by Minister Natalius Pigai. The MoU focuses on collaboration in education, research, and community service, particularly in mainstreaming human rights within higher education institutions. The initiative was spearheaded by the Department of Political Science and Government (DPIP) with support from the UNDIP’s Directorate of Innovation, Downstreaming, and Collaboration.
In his keynote address, Minister Pigai delivered a profound reflection on the essence of human rights as the core of universal humanity. He emphasized that human rights are the most valuable intangible asset a nation possesses. “Roads, bridges, and economic growth are important, but the most valuable asset on earth is human rights. To protect and respect human rights is to uphold human dignity itself,” he asserted.
He further highlighted the crucial role of universities as spaces for cultivating humanitarian awareness. “Students must dare to be agents of change who champion human values and social justice. Without respect for human dignity, national progress will lose its meaning,” he urged, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.
With an open and engaging communication style, Minister Pigai then invited students to participate in an interactive Q&A session. He encouraged them to think reflectively, engage in ethical discourse, and embody human rights as living values in their everyday lives.
Rector Prof. Suharnomo, in his welcoming remarks, stated that UNDIP represents Indonesia’s spirit of nationalism and diversity. “Our student body comes from all across the archipelago, including remote and underdeveloped regions. This unity demonstrates that UNDIP is a campus of the Republic of Indonesia—a place where the best minds from all regions come together to advance the nation. We provide them with the best education so they can return to develop their home regions,” he explained.
“With the spirit of ‘Noble and Valuable UNDIP’, we continue to drive innovation for the nation’s well-being,” said the Rector. He also highlighted UNDIP’s ongoing research innovations, including the development of a desalination machine that converts seawater into drinkable water—currently being tested in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to assist disaster-affected areas.
The Rector also commended the academic community’s achievements in various national competitions that reinforce UNDIP’s reputation as a leading research university, including winning first place at the National Outstanding Student Selection (Pilmapres) 2025, success in energy-efficient vehicle innovation competitions (KMHE), and numerous other recognitions. He affirmed that these accomplishments demonstrate UNDIP’s excellence not only in academics but also in cultivating integrity, creativity, and global competitiveness among its students.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nur Hidayat Sardini, Head of the Organizing Committee and the Department of Political Science and Government, expressed appreciation for the full support from the university leadership, faculty, and the Ministry of Human Rights. He explained that the public lecture and MoU signing had been planned since June 2025 as a tangible commitment by UNDIP to be a pioneer in promoting human rights values in academia.
“This collaboration will continue through various strategic programs such as strengthening institutional capacity, developing a human rights study center, improving human resource quality, and integrating human rights principles into research, education, and community service. All these are concrete steps toward building a humanistic, rights-based university,” Dr. Nur Hidayat stated.
Dr. Nur Hidayat added that this activity also forms part of UNDIP’s campaign to promote human rights within the campus and surrounding communities. He hoped this momentum would strengthen the academic community’s spirit to uphold justice, equality, and respect for every individual’s rights.
The public lecture concluded with an interactive dialogue session between the Minister and students. Various critical questions surrounding the implementation of human rights in national, social justice, and governance contexts were discussed passionately. Closing the session, Minister Natalius Pigai delivered an inspiring message, invoking the spirit of Prince Diponegoro as a symbol of resistance against injustice. This spirit resonates with today’s struggle for human rights.
This event marked a significant milestone for the UNDIP academic community, reaffirming its commitment as a pioneering university that upholds humanistic values, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Through collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights, Universitas Diponegoro continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering inclusive, humanistic, and sustainable higher education, nurturing future generations who are not only intelligent but also ethical and empathetic toward others. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW)
