UNDIP, Semarang (20/7) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) has entered a new chapter in the development of vocational education, with the inauguration of Twin Tower 1 (Education Building 1) at its Pleburan Campus in Semarang on Friday (17/7). UNDIP reaffirmed its commitment to building a more integrated, modern, and industry-oriented World-Class Vocational School ecosystem capable of addressing global challenges.
The 14-story building, located at the Pleburan Campus in downtown Semarang near Simpang Lima, was officially inaugurated by the Rector of Universitas Diponegoro, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si. On the same occasion, the Rector announced that construction of Twin Tower Phase II will soon continue and is targeted for completion by August next year. Once both towers are completed, all academic programs within the UNDIP Vocational School will be centralized at the Pleburan Campus, creating a stronger and more integrated vocational education ecosystem.
In his remarks, the Rector emphasized that the Twin Tower development is part of the university’s broader strategy to strengthen vocational education as one of the key pillars of higher education.
“We hope the Twin Tower will further strengthen the World-Class Vocational School ecosystem at Universitas Diponegoro. In the future, all Vocational School study programs will be integrated within one area, enabling collaboration, innovation, and practice-based learning to flourish optimally,” said Prof. Suharnomo.
During the first phase, the Department of Information and Culture and the Department of Business and Finance of the Vocational School have begun occupying Twin Tower 1. All new students from these two departments will commence their studies in the new building starting in the 2026/2027 academic year.
For the UNDIP Vocational School, relocating to Twin Tower 1 represents more than simply moving into a new building. It marks a significant milestone in advancing industry-oriented vocational education through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Responding to this strategic direction, the Dean of the UNDIP Vocational School, Prof. Dr. Ir. Budiyono, M.Si., described the inauguration as both a milestone and a major responsibility for the entire academic community. “The inauguration of Twin Tower 1 is not merely the addition of a new educational facility, but also a significant mandate for the UNDIP Vocational School to further strengthen the World-Class Vocational School ecosystem. We will fulfill this responsibility by enhancing project-based learning, teaching factories, industry collaboration, applied innovation, and developing graduates capable of creating tangible impacts for society while remaining globally competitive.”
Prof. Budiyono explained that Twin Tower provides greater opportunities to integrate the various excellence ecosystems that have become the foundation of the Vocational School’s development strategy. These include the Academic Excellence Ecosystem, Industry Engagement Ecosystem, Global Employability Ecosystem, Character Development Ecosystem, Innovation and Applied Research Ecosystem, Applied Media and Global Visibility Ecosystem, and the Sustainability and Social Impact Ecosystem. Together, these interconnected ecosystems are expected to produce graduates who are highly competent, adaptive, innovative, and capable of delivering practical solutions to societal challenges.
One of Twin Tower 1’s distinctive features is its flexible learning space concept, designed to accommodate the evolving needs of modern vocational education. Each room can function as a classroom, discussion room, meeting room, collaborative project space, or teaching factory, thereby supporting the effective implementation of Project-Based Learning (PBL).
Through this approach, students will gain not only classroom instruction but also hands-on experience through real-world projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving activities, and direct engagement with business and industry partners. This learning model is expected to enhance further graduates’ competencies in line with the demands of both national and international labor markets.
The relocation of the Department of Information and Culture and the Department of Business and Finance to Twin Tower 1 also provides momentum for expanding various service-based and creative economy teaching factories. A wide range of laboratories and practical learning units—including digital media, public relations, media monitoring, visual communication design, business laboratories, entrepreneurship, and creative industry development—will operate within a modern, collaborative, and technology-driven learning environment.
Meanwhile, once Twin Tower Phase II is completed, all study programs within the UNDIP Vocational School will be consolidated into a single integrated complex at the Pleburan Campus. This integration is expected to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerate educational innovation, expand partnerships with industry, and cultivate an increasingly distinguished vocational academic culture.
This transformation is anticipated to reinforce further the UNDIP Vocational School’s position as a World-Class Vocational School that produces professional, innovative, ethical, and globally competitive graduates through practice-based education, industry collaboration, applied innovation, and meaningful contributions to society. More than simply introducing a new building, Twin Tower 1 symbolizes the transformation of vocational education at Universitas Diponegoro toward an integrated, collaborative, and impact-driven learning ecosystem. Through this strategic initiative, UNDIP reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality vocational education that contributes to Indonesia’s development and the global community. (Public Communication/UNDIP)