Semarang, May 2026 – The Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Diponegoro University, has once again demonstrated its commitment to enhancing educational quality and students’ global insights by hosting the Offline Visiting Professor Program under the World Class University (WCU) initiative. The event featured RNDr. Jan Mrlina, Ph.D., from the Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic, and took place from May 16 to 23, 2026.
This program is part of the Department of Physics’ ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration, boost geophysics research capacity, and broaden students’ academic experience through direct interaction with international researchers. The scope of activities encompassed lithospheric geophysics, gravity and magnetic methods, coastal geodynamic dynamics, and geophysics-based disaster mitigation.
Over the six-day program, undergraduate and postgraduate students were given the opportunity to participate in various academic and fieldwork activities. The program commenced with field training, allowing students to understand subsurface dynamics more comprehensively through direct on-site observations.
In addition to fieldwork, students engaged in mentoring and research discussion sessions. During these sessions, research findings from both students and lecturers were discussed collaboratively to solidify fundamental concepts, improve the quality of data interpretation, and enrich research perspectives by leveraging the international expertise brought by Prof. Jan Mrlina.
One of the highlights that garnered high enthusiasm was a public lecture on the application of the gravity method for coastal area mitigation. In this session, participants gained valuable insights into utilizing modern geophysical methods to comprehend subsurface structures, map coastal geological conditions, and support disaster mitigation efforts in coastal zones. The interactive discussion that followed highlighted the students’ deep interest in the advancements of geophysics and its real-world applications in resolving societal challenges.
The Visiting Professor Program was also utilized to enhance students’ academic quality through undergraduate thesis exam supervision, scientific manuscript reviews, and discussions regarding geophysical survey designs for further research in the Rawa Pening area and the Semarang coastal region. This initiative provided invaluable experience for students in grasping international academic and research standards.
The chair of the organizing committee, Dr. Rina Dwi Indriana, S.Si., M.Si., stated that this program serves as an essential platform to strengthen global academic networks while boosting students’ competence in the field of geophysics. Through direct engagement with world-class researchers, students acquire not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience that will prepare them for future research and professional challenges.
Through this initiative, the Department of Physics, FSM Diponegoro University, continues its endeavors to foster an international-standard academic environment, strengthen research culture, and produce graduates with a global mindset and superior competence in science and technology.
