UNDIP, Semarang Regency (October 28, 2025) – The Rector of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., officially inaugurated the Al-Ikhlas Prayer Hall at the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) Wanadipa UNDIP Penggaron, Semarang Regency, on Tuesday (October 28) at 10:00 a.m. The event was attended by the UNDIP Rector, Vice Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Public Communication, the Dean of the UNDIP’s Postgraduate School, the Director of Digital and Consumer Business of Bank Jateng, the Chair of the Central Java Provincial BAZNAS, the Head of the Central Java Provincial Environment and Forestry Office, the Head of the Regional Forestry Office Branch III of Central Java Province, the Head of KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP, and members of farmer groups around KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP.
The Rector expressed his appreciation for the inauguration of the Al-Ikhlas Prayer Hall. In his remarks, he conveyed gratitude and hoped that the facility would bring blessings and benefits to the academic community and surrounding residents. “The prayer hall is magnificent and well-built. Hopefully, it can be used by everyone who comes here, and may it continue to thrive,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
The construction of this facility aligns with UNDIP’s commitment to strengthening its values of usefulness and community service. Named Al-Ikhlas, the prayer hall is expected to become a space that fosters sincerity in work, learning, and service. “We truly appreciate this. With this prayer hall, we are reminded to serve Allah SWT sincerely. May the residents of KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP and everyone present here sincerely support our children in pursuing education and becoming graduates who can apply their knowledge for the surrounding community,” he added.
On the same occasion, the Rector highlighted several of UNDIP’s achievements, underscoring the institution’s active contributions to environmental, educational, and community welfare issues. Recently, UNDIP declared UNDIP Zero Waste, enabling the campus to process 100% of its waste without sending it to landfills. Waste is converted into gasoline, compost, and maggot feed to support a circular economy concept, which has been appreciated by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D. “UNDIP has become a role model in waste management from upstream to downstream. This action is part of UNDIP’s commitment to being increasingly noble and valuable,” he emphasized.
UNDIP also continues to be trusted as a host for various national events. In December, UNDIP will host the UI GreenMetric event. This year, UNDIP was also entrusted to host POMNAS and the National Pilmapres, reflecting its reputation and credibility in organizing large-scale academic events. The Rector further outlined UNDIP’s contributions, including providing clean water through desalination machine innovations, expanding equitable access to education through scholarships, developing adaptive agricultural and fisheries innovations such as saline-resistant rice and tilapia for flood-affected areas, and pioneering hybrid seawall concepts proven effective in Morodemak.
Closing his remarks, the Rector expressed hope that KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP would become an increasingly productive and sustainable research center. He appreciated the innovations developed at KHDTK Wanadipa and encouraged more regular research activities in the area. “With all of Prof. Sri Puryono’s creativity, KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP has progressed significantly. Hopefully, more research will come here and be conducted regularly,” he concluded.
On the same occasion, the Director of Digital and Consumer Business of Bank Jateng, Eko Tri Prasetyo, also expressed his appreciation for the Al-Ikhlas Prayer Hall, noting its excellent quality and cleanliness. “The building is very good, and the restrooms are immaculate. Hopefully, it will be beneficial in the future,” he said.
He added that through its Bank Jateng Mulia program, Bank Jateng continues to contribute positively through CSR activities and hopes to strengthen its synergy with UNDIP. He also opened opportunities for strategic collaboration, particularly in digitizing donation services, including installing Bank Jateng QRIS to facilitate community participation in supporting religious and social facilities.
Meanwhile, the Chair of Central Java Provincial BAZNAS, Dr. KH. Ahmad Darodji, M.Si., expressed appreciation for the collaboration with UNDIP and hoped that the prayer hall would benefit the surrounding community. “Thank you for your cooperation and for the prayer room that was inaugurated today. We hope it will be of benefit to local residents,” he said.
In his report, the Head of KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Puryono KS, MP, explained that the Al-Ikhlas Prayer Hall is the third CSR outcome, following the Joglo building and greenhouse development. KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP, covering 99.65 hectares, functions for research, conservation, cultivation, and collaboration. To date, 25,263 trees (equivalent to 30 hectares) have been planted with support from alumni associations, environmental agencies, and forestry retirees. The area has also received 1,292 researcher visits from lecturers, students, and international researchers from Pakistan, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Malaysia. In the near future, KHDTK will host 33 summer course participants from Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan.
The groundbreaking of the Al-Ikhlas Prayer Hall took place on March 27, 2025, coinciding with the 27th day of Ramadan. The prayer hall has a capacity of 86 worshippers, is air-conditioned, and is ready for religious gatherings. “My principle is that the house of Allah SWT should be better than our own homes. Our next major task is to ensure it is well utilized,” said Prof. Sri Puryono.
The inauguration ceremony continued with the handover of social funds from Bank Jateng to the UNDIP Rector to support religious facilities and empowerment activities at KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP. The Rector then cut a ceremonial tumpeng and presented it to representatives of Bank Jateng, KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP, and Central Java BAZNAS.
The official inauguration was marked by cutting jasmine garlands at the prayer hall area, followed by the planting of longan and water apple tree seedlings in the KHDTK Wanadipa UNDIP area as a symbol of sustainability and environmental care. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Dhany)
