SEMARANG, Undip Campus – The Department of Biology at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Class University agenda. Through the Undip Global Classroom (UGC) program, the Marine Biology course (2 credits) hosted an international guest lecture titled “International Lecture Series” on May 20, 2026.
The event featured an international marine expert, Prof. Dr. Moch. Razif Harun from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The international session was moderated directly by Prof. Sapto Purnomo Putro, Ph.D., the course professor who is also the initiator and coordinator of the UGC Biology program.
Exploring Challenges and Marine Research in Southeast Asia
During the lecture, students were invited to deeply explore marine biodiversity in a comprehensive manner. The core discussions covered:
- The community structure of marine biota.
- The dynamics of coastal ecosystems and coral reefs.
- Current issues in sustainable marine resource management amidst the pressures of climate change and global exploitation.
Prof. Moch. Razif Harun also shared his extensive marine research experiences in Malaysia. This comparative perspective provided students with valuable insights into marine management across the Southeast Asian region.
“This collaboration not only broadens students’ horizons regarding the complexity of marine ecosystems and their conservation challenges, but also inspires future cross-border marine research collaboration opportunities,” said Prof. Sapto.
Strengthening the Ce-MEBSA Research Framework
This guest lecture is expected to ignite students’ research interest in marine biology, which has long been one of the flagship research strengths of the Department of Biology at Undip. This research focus operates under the auspices of Ce-MEBSA (Centre for Marine and Estuarine Biology and Sustainability of Aquatic Resources).
The collaboration with UPM in this course is a continuation of a long-standing marine research partnership between the two institutions. By strengthening international-standard educational and research collaborations, Undip continues to solidify its steps toward becoming a world-class university.