Semarang, 30 June 2025 – As part of the World Class University program, the Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), in collaboration with the Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), carried out an international community service activity under the theme “Community Food Security through Integrated Urban Farming of Catfish and Vertical Hydroponics.” The activity took place in Rowosari Subdistrict, Tembalang District, Semarang.
The team was led by Prof. Dr. Widowati, S.Si., M.Si., along with Prof. Dr. Dra. Meiny Suzery, M.S.; Dr. Jafron Wasiq Hidayat, M.Sc.; and Dr. Sutrisno, S.Si., M.Sc., and involved undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from FSM UNDIP. From UMS, Assoc. Prof. Cahyo Budiman, Ph.D. participated in the program. The activity began with community outreach in March 2025, followed by training, mentoring, and hands-on implementation of the integrated farming system. The peak of the activity was held on 30 June 2025, marked by the release of catfish seedlings and the planting of hydroponic vegetables such as lettuce, pakcoy, and water spinach.
Prof. Widowati explained that the integrated farming system is an innovative solution to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 2: Zero Hunger. By utilizing limited land around homes, the community is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in food production while strengthening social networks and local economic resilience.
The program continued with a strategic meeting between the community service team and FSM leadership, attended by the Dean of FSM, Prof. Dr. Kusworo Adi, S.Si., and Vice Dean for Resources, Dr. Eng. Adi Wibowo, S.Si., M.Kom. The discussion focused on further collaboration with UMS in the scope of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, including a joint summer camp scheduled for 4–15 August 2025, themed “From Biodiversity to Health and Nutrition: Bridging Green Chemistry and Biotechnology for Sustainable Solutions.” Additionally, a student mobility program was discussed for IUP undergraduate students in Chemistry to study at UMS. The meeting concluded with the signing of an Implementation Arrangement between FSM UNDIP study programs—S1 Mathematics, S1 Chemistry, S1 Biology, S2 Mathematics, Doctoral Program in Science and Mathematics, and the Research Cluster for Mathematical Modeling and Optimization (RC-MMO)—and the Biotechnology Research Institute, UMS.
As part of the program, a workshop titled “Biotechnology Innovation for Sustainable Urban Farming” was also held, featuring Assoc. Prof. Cahyo Budiman, Ph.D. as a guest speaker. The hybrid-format workshop was held at the Rowosari Subdistrict Hall and via Zoom, and was enthusiastically attended by local residents, FSM UNDIP students (S1, S2, S3), as well as students from UMS and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
This initiative aims to strengthen local food security, broaden public understanding of urban farming practices, and enhance community skills in utilizing limited land, maintaining growing media, and hydroponic cultivation techniques.
FSM UNDIP remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering international collaboration, and empowering communities as part of its contribution to a sustainable and globally competitive society.
The full coverage of this event has been reported by various media outlets and can be accessed through the following link:
- Jateng Daily – FSM Undip dan UMS Malaysia Lakukan Pengabdian Internasional Urban Farming Terintegrasi untuk Dukung Sustainable Development Goals 2: Zero Hunger
- SuaraMerdeka.com – Urban Farming Terintegrasi: Solusi Ketahanan Pangan dari Undip dan UMS Lewat Budidaya Lele dan Sayur Hidroponik
Serta media cetak sebagai berikut :
