Semarang (03/03) – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) hosted a Studium Generale on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, entitled “From Pesantren for Civilization: Community Empowerment Strategies for a Sustainable Economy.” Held in the FIMENA Auditorium on the 3rd Floor of Building A at the FISIP Undip Campus in Tembalang, the event served as a strategic platform to formulate the role of educational institutions—both universities and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren)—in community development. This initiative is a tangible manifestation of Undip’s vision, “A Undip Noble, Undip Valuable,” which emphasizes not only academic achievement but also real contributions to public welfare and the advancement of the nation’s civilization.

The public lecture was attended by several prominent figures from various regions. Those present included the Rector of Undip, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., regional heads such as the Regent of Tegal H. Ischak Maulana Rohman, S.H., Vice Mayor of Tegal Hj. Tazkiyatul Muthmainnah, S.K.M., M.Kes., Vice Regent of Semarang Dra. Hj. Nur Arifah, and Vice Regent of Pekalongan H. Sukirman, S.S., M.S. Also present were members of the legislature, namely Chair of the Kendal Regional People’s Representative Council Mahfud Sodiq, S.Pd.I, Chair of the Batang Regional People’s Representative Council H. Suudi, S.Ag., Chair of the Tegal Regency Regional People’s Representative Council H. Wasbun Jauhara Khalim, S.E., Chair of the Demak Regional People’s Representative Council H. Zayinul Fatah, S.E., and Vice Chair of the Central Java Regional People’s Representative Council H. Sarif Abdillah, S.Pd.I.

In his welcoming remarks, the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, expressed his high hopes for the forum. “May this event bring a breath of fresh air for all of us amidst these challenging and uncertain times,” he stated before the audience. This statement underscored the urgency of discussions on community empowerment as an oasis amidst dynamic socio-economic challenges.

The event was officially opened by the Rector of Undip, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si. In his keynote speech, he highlighted various innovative achievements of Universitas Diponegoro that align with its vision of broad societal benefit. Furthermore, Prof. Suharnomo emphasized the critical importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, including with religious educational institutions. He explicitly stated that Undip is open to partnerships with Islamic boarding schools to develop various empowerment programs.

“This nation needs many hands of good people who can come together, who can, to some extent, help solve the problems that exist in society,” he affirmed.

The core of the event featured a keynote address by K.H. Muhammad Yusuf Chudlori, the esteemed leader of the Tegalrejo Islamic Boarding School in Magelang. In his presentation, he thoroughly explored the strategic role of pesantren as pillars of civilization. He asserted that the existence of pesantren is inseparable from the pulse of the community. “Pesantren grow together with the community; they cannot be separated from it,” he stated.

The leader of the Tegalrejo Islamic Boarding School, which was founded in 1944, also highlighted the primary function of Islamic educational institutions. According to him, while deepening religious understanding is a key objective, the foremost goal is the cultivation of mental fortitude and character. Additionally, he encouraged students to emulate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), to be independent, and to contribute to the community’s economy.

This Public Lecture stands as concrete evidence of Universitas Diponegoro’s commitment to bridging academic theory with the local wisdom cultivated in pesantren. Driven by the “Undip Bermanfaat” (Undip Valuable) spirit, the collaboration between the university and Islamic boarding schools is expected to produce agents of change who are not only intellectually sharp but also mentally resilient and possess a strong social conscience. This synergy forms a robust foundation for building a noble Indonesian civilization through sustainable economic empowerment.