Aachen, Germany (4/6) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) continues to strengthen its journey toward becoming a World-Class University by expanding its international academic network. Coinciding with Indonesia’s Pancasila Day commemoration, UNDIP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RWTH Aachen University, Germany, one of the world’s leading technical universities and the alma mater of Indonesia’s third President, B.J. Habibie.
The MoU signing ceremony took place on June 2, 2026, at the Rectorate of RWTH Aachen University, Germany. UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., attended the event in person, accompanied by Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Public Communication Wijayanto, Ph.D., as well as lecturers from the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program (TRKI) of UNDIP’s Vocational School who are currently participating in the Erasmus Programme. The UNDIP delegation was warmly welcomed by the Rector of RWTH Aachen University, the Head of the International Office, the Rector’s Delegate for Collaboration with Indonesia, and the RWTH Aachen University team.
The signing of this MoU reflects both institutions’ commitment to continuing and expanding the collaboration that began in December 2023. Since then, various academic activities have been carried out through partnerships between UNDIP faculties and RWTH Aachen professors, particularly through joint PhD supervision schemes and academic exchange programs.
In his remarks during the signing ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo emphasized UNDIP’s readiness to broaden cooperation with RWTH Aachen University, particularly in academic development and innovation-based business initiatives.
“Our collaboration with RWTH Aachen University carries both strategic and historical significance for UNDIP. In addition to being recognized as one of the world’s leading technical universities, RWTH Aachen also shares a close historical connection with Indonesia as the alma mater of B.J. Habibie, a figure who symbolizes the nation’s technological advancement and innovation. We hope this partnership will open more opportunities for UNDIP lecturers and students to engage in world-class research, academic exchanges, and innovation development,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
Several UNDIP academics are currently involved in joint supervision programs with professors from RWTH Aachen University across various disciplines, including:
- Prof. Peter Quicker (Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet Thermoprozesse und Emissionsminderung in der Entsorgungs- und Recyclingwirtschaft-TEER) with Anggun Puspitarini Siswanto, S.T., Ph.D. (UNDIP Vocational School) supervising Rizka Amalia (UNDIP lecturer) in the field of chemical recycling of e-waste plastics.
- Prof. Achim Kampker (Lehrstuhl für Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components-PEM) with Prof. Dr. rer. oec. Arfan Bakhtiar, S.T., M.T. (Faculty of Engineering UNDIP), supervising Denis (UNDIP lecturer) in the field of sustainable refurbishment models.
- Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Rüde (Lehrstuhl für Ingenieurgeologie und Hydrogeologie-LiH) with Wido Prananing Tyas, S.T., MDP., Ph.D., supervising Grandy Loranessa Wungo (UNDIP lecturer) in the field of spatial analysis of refurbishment.
- Prof. Lars Blank (Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie-iAMB) with dr. Muflihatul Muniroh, M.Si.Med., Ph.D., AIFO-K (Faculty of Medicine UNDIP) supervising Alif Sutadi Saputra (prospective UNDIP lecturer) in the field of microbial recycling of e-waste plastics.
- In addition, Prof. Grit Walther (Lehrstuhl für Operations Management-OM) has initiated discussions for collaboration with UNDIP’s Logistics Administration Management Study Program (MAL), Vocational School.
As part of the visit, the UNDIP delegation also toured various research facilities and RWTH Aachen University Innovation, the university’s Technology Transfer Office. The visit concluded with remarks from Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. mult. Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of RWTH Aachen University.
Through this partnership, UNDIP reaffirms its commitment to expanding international collaboration, strengthening research and innovation capacity, and providing global academic experiences for both lecturers and students as part of its efforts to become a world-renowned university. UNDIP, Noble and Valuable! (Public Communication/UNDIP/Anggun S., edited by Nurul)
