(26/1) Research Center for Innovative Ground Improvement (rCIGI) Cluster, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, held a webinar with the theme “Latest Development of Ground Improvement Technology in Indonesia”. The event, which was held online, invited some institutions as the discussion partners, such as the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Kementerian PUPR), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Negeri Sebelas Maret, several State-owned Companies (BUMN), and professional associations.

Located in the Theatre Room, Dekanat Building of the Faculty of Engineering, 4th floor, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Universitas Diponegoro, Prof. Ir. M. Agung Wibowo, M.M, M.Sc., Ph.D., together with Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Prabandiyani Retno Wardani, M.Sc from rCIGI of Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, opened the webinar event via online meeting with remarks and a brief explanation about rCIGI. According to Prof. Sri Prabandiyani, this online seminar aims to expand the platform, share the latest findings, increase the network, and explore the possibilities to collaborate at the national or international levels in the future.

In her explanation, Prof. Sri Prabandiyani said that the Research Center for Innovative Ground Improvement (rCIGI) Universitas Diponegoro has always positioned itself as an independent research institution that established with concern that there are so many ground-related problems in Indonesia, especially in Semarang. Semarang which has a diverse landscape causes many potential geotechnical problems which may cause serious problems if not handled properly. The presence of this institution is expected to be the place for academics, researchers, and professional practitioners, especially in the field of geotechnical engineering, to play a role in research, either those that have been finished or those that may be carried out related to the fields of ground improvement. In addition, this institution also takes part in providing inputs for the stakeholders in the fields of innovative ground improvement related to the development of sustainable infrastructures. This is a manifestation of the active roles that Universitas Diponegoro has taken part in as the Research University for the sake of the Nation.

This international scale event was not only attended by researchers and practitioners from Indonesia, there were several presenters that came from abroad, such as Leong Kam Weng, B.Eng (Civil), Ph.D. from Keller Foundation, and Prof. Chu Jian from Nanyang Technological University. In addition, there were 11 researchers and practitioners who came from various backgrounds, ranging from academics from well-known campuses in Indonesia, national research institutions such as the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and practitioners who are experts in the related fields. Apart from the presenters above, there were 5 moderators who came from diverse backgrounds, one of them was Dr. Kresno Wikan Sadono, S.T, M.Eng from the Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro.