Semarang — The Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Universitas Diponegoro continues to strengthen the internationalization of its education and research through the implementation of the Staff Mobility Program – World Class University (WCU) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. The program, titled “Strategic Strengthening of Research Collaboration in Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy and Pulsed Laser Ablation,” took place from June 25 to July 2, 2026.
This initiative was conducted by Dr. Eng. Ali Khumaeni, S.Si., M.E., from the Department of Physics, FSM UNDIP, alongside his international counterpart, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Gondal, Director of the Laser Research Center at KFUPM. The collaboration focused on advancing research in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Pulsed Laser Ablation (PLA) for material analysis and nanomaterial synthesis.
The Staff Mobility program serves as a continuation of the UNDIP–KFUPM research partnership that has been established since 2022. During the visit to Saudi Arabia, the team conducted collaborative laser plasma spectroscopy research on geological materials, toured laser and characterization laboratory facilities, engaged in educational development discussions, and strengthened joint research and publication efforts. The geological materials investigated included volcanic soil, volcanic ash, and volcanic mud from Indonesia.
Collaboration from Research to International Publications
A primary agenda item was hands-on research activities at the KFUPM laser facilities. The laboratory houses various laser systems, including an Nd:YAG laser at its fundamental and several harmonic wavelengths, as well as spectrometer facilities and experimental setups for laser plasma spectroscopy, pulsed laser ablation in liquids, thin-film fabrication, and hydrogen production experiments.
The collaboration was also directed toward drafting joint scientific publications. During the visit, Dr. Ali Khumaeni and Prof. Mohammed Ashraf Gondal discussed a manuscript detailing the advancements in LIBS for geological material analysis, which is being prepared for a highly reputable international journal.
The collaborative manuscript highlights developments in LIBS instrumentation, analytical performance, applications across various geological materials, and the integration of chemometrics and machine learning. The study encompasses various LIBS applications on rocks, mineral ores, soil, sediments, volcanic materials, meteorites, precious stones, and hydrothermal deposits.
Unlocking Internship and Postgraduate Study Opportunities for UNDIP Physics Students
This Staff Mobility initiative is not solely research-oriented. One of its strategic achievements was the discussion of student mobility and advanced study opportunities for students of the UNDIP Department of Physics.
Discussions with Prof. Mohammed Ashraf Gondal and the KFUPM Physics Department staff explored a six-month internship opportunity for final-year undergraduate Physics students from UNDIP at the KFUPM Laser Laboratory. According to the activity report, discussed in-kind support includes access to laboratory facilities and local on-campus accommodation.
Furthermore, the possibility of UNDIP Physics students pursuing Master’s and PhD programs at KFUPM through an internal selection process was discussed. Under this proposed scheme, successful candidates would be eligible for comprehensive support, including tuition fee waivers, dormitory housing, and a monthly stipend during their studies.
Implementation Arrangement Fortifies UNDIP–KFUPM Partnership
Another significant milestone was the formulation of an Implementation Arrangement (IA) between the Department of Physics, FSM UNDIP, and the Department of Physics, KFUPM. This document serves as a practical foundation to bolster joint educational and research activities between the two institutions.
It is anticipated that this international collaboration will not end as a mere academic visit, but will evolve into a sustainable partnership encompassing joint research, international publications, faculty and student mobility, internships, postgraduate studies, and the development of innovative laser-based technology research.
“This Staff Mobility program is a strategic step in elevating UNDIP Physics Department’s international collaboration from basic academic networking to partnerships that generate concrete outputs. We want our collaboration with KFUPM to yield joint research, highly reputable international publications, student and faculty mobility, and open pathways for advanced studies for UNDIP Physics students,” stated Dr. Eng. Ali Khumaeni.
He added that the partnership also provides a valuable opportunity to integrate the competencies of UNDIP’s Research Center for Laser and Advanced Nanotechnology with the state-of-the-art facilities and expertise of the KFUPM Laser Research Center, particularly in advancing laser plasma spectroscopy and pulsed laser ablation-based nanomaterial synthesis.
This program simultaneously supports the internationalization strategy of the Department of Physics, FSM UNDIP. The activity report emphasizes that international collaborations are targeted to enhance the quality of research and publications, staff exchange, the academic capacity of students and graduates, and the achievement of the department’s key performance indicators.
Through this Staff Mobility Program, the UNDIP Department of Physics reaffirms its commitment to building a world-class education and research ecosystem, expanding its network with globally reputable universities, and providing broader opportunities for students and faculty to actively engage in global academic collaborations.