Semarang, October 28, 2025 – The Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM) Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), once again held an important event aimed at enhancing academic quality and expanding international networks. This event is part of the World Class University initiative, which supports international collaboration and enriches insights in research and education.
The event featured a guest lecturer from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Dzarifah Mohamed Zulperi, an expert in phytopathology who has contributed significantly to research on plant diseases. She delivered a lecture titled “Impact of Plant Diseases on Agricultural Productivity”, discussing the impact of plant diseases on global agricultural productivity and how mitigation strategies can be applied to reduce their negative effects.
The event was hosted by MC, Mrs. Lailia Nofiana, M.Si., and began with the opening remarks by the Committee Chair, Dr. Yulita Nurchayati, M.Si., followed by a speech from the Head of the Department of Biology, Prof. Drs. Sapto Purnomo Putro, M.Si., Ph.D. The presentation session started with an introduction of the speaker by the moderator, Dr. Endang Saptiningsih, M.Si., followed by the presentation from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dzarifah, who discussed the role of plant diseases in affecting agricultural yields, as well as various strategies to address their impact. After the presentation, the event continued with a discussion and Q&A session, providing an opportunity for participants to interact directly with the speaker.
This event was not only a public lecture but also a significant moment in building research collaboration between the Department of Biology FSM UNDIP and Universiti Putra Malaysia. During the event, the organizing committee and speakers also discussed plans for joint research between the two universities, focusing on the development of solutions to address the impact of plant diseases on the agricultural sector. This collaboration is expected to result in applied research and enrich knowledge in the field of phytopathology.
Through this program, FSM UNDIP is strengthening its role in international education and research, while supporting efforts to become a world-class university with a global reputation in science and technology. FSM UNDIP hopes that this event will encourage the formation of applied research collaborations and enrich knowledge in phytopathology, particularly in addressing challenges in the agricultural sector.