Diponegoro University

Diponegoro University (Javanese: ꦈꦤꦶꦥ꦳ꦼꦂꦱꦶꦠꦱ꧀ꦢꦶꦥꦤꦼꦒꦫ; Indonesian: Universitas Diponegoro, abbreviated as UNDIP) is a public university located in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. It was founded in 1957 as a private university by the Semarang University Foundation, which in 1960 became a public university named after Javanese Prince Diponegoro. It is the oldest education corporation in Central Java.
In the early 1950s, people in Central Java, especially in Semarang, needed a university to provide higher education learning and teaching facilities. Its purpose is to assist the government in managing and overseeing all areas of development, especially in the field of education. At that time, there was only Gajah Mada University as a public university which provides higher education for people in Yogyakarta and also Central Java.
As the number of senior high school graduates have continuously been increasing without increment in the number of universities, some graduates may not be able to gain a seat in higher education in north of Central Java. Considering this situation, MR. Imam Bardjo and his colleagues formed an educational foundation, namely Yayasan Universitas Semarang (Foundation of Semarang University), noted by notary R.M. Soeprapto on Notarial Deed No 59, 4 December 1956. The foundation was the first step to establish a university in Semarang, namely Semarang University, which was officially opened on 9 January 1957, and Mr. Imam Bardjo was the first President (Rector) of the university.
When Semarang University celebrated its third Dies Natalis (anniversary) on 9 January 1960, President of Indonesia, Sukarno renamed the Semarang University as Diponegoro University. Changing the name of Semarang University was intended as a tribute to the university's performance in development of higher education in Central Java. The President's decision was confirmed by the Government Regulation No. 7 1961 and Decree Minister of Education, Teaching and Culture No. 101247 / UU on 3 December 1960.
The decision was retroactive to 15 October 1957, and this date is commemorated as the day of Diponegoro University's Dies Natalis as well as for remembering "Five Days Battle in Semarang", which is part of Indonesian National Revolution war that took place in Semarang City. Diponegoro University chose the date as its Dies Natalis for continuing national heroes' vision and mission for Indonesia's independence, by developing the nation's next generation.
The year of 1957 was defined as the year of Diponegoro University's establishment by considering history of Semarang University as a private university founded in 1957 was an embryo of Diponegoro University. The date of establishment 15 October 1957 was stated in Rector's report on the 13th Dies Natalis of Diponegoro University.
Currently under the Government Regulations No. 81/2014 and Government Regulations of the Republic of Indonesia No. 52/2015, Diponegoro University earns the status of PTN-BH (Perguruan Tinggi Negeri-Badan Hukum/State-Owned Higher Education with a Legal Entity Status).
Undip has 11 official faculties and 2 schools.
In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the Diponegoro University ranked in the range of 721–730 globally and ranked eighth in Indonesia. Meanwhile, in the QS Asian University Rankings 2021, the Diponegoro University ranked 241st in Asia and ranked ninth in Indonesia. Diponegoro University also ranked in the range of 301–500 globally by QS Graduate Employability Ranking.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, Diponegoro University is ranked in the range of 1001+ globally. Undip also ranked in the range of 101–200th globally in Impact Rankings 2020, where Undip ranked 49th globally in Impact Rankings: Responsible Consumption and Production 2020. In THE WUR 2021 also ranked Diponegoro University as number 4 in Indonesia. In June 2021, in the QS World University Rankings 2022, Diponegoro University is ranked in the range of 1001+ globally and ranked eighth in Indonesia.
Diponegoro University's ranking and accreditation are follows:
Diponegoro University offers the number of Postgraduate Programs for all prospective students in Indonesia and international students from around the world. There are 34 Postgraduate Study Programs, consist of 8 doctorate and 28 master programs offered. These programs are opened widely for the university graduates achieving higher degree of education. The university gives a very high consideration and priority to the quality of the postgraduate program. Development of education, research and community service are based on the university's scientific pattern, that is coastal eco-development. Program is delivered in accordance to the program nature and domain, with customized assessments at program and subject level.
International applicants for admission to UNDIP's undergraduate program are required to complete or are completing high school. The medium of instruction for international classes at UNDIP is English. As of 2020, there are about 230 international students in Diponegoro University.
There are numerous research centres and service centres in Diponegoro University under LPPM (Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat/Institute for Research and Community Service) of Diponegoro University:
Undip is in Semarang – the capital city of Central Java. The university has 8 campuses outside Semarang as far away as Jepara, about 70 km northeast Semarang.
Rumah Susun Sewa bagi Mahasiswa (Rusunawa) is the student dormitory building. The building has five twin blocks:
Diponegoro University Library (Perpustakaan Universitas Diponegoro) is centred in Widya Puraya Central Library in the Tembalang campus and comprises over 400 individual libraries and over 4,000 volumes. Faculties have department libraries and literature from journal alumni.
Maskam (Masjid Kampus Undip) or Undip Campus Mosque is a mosque at the Tembalang campus. It's surrounded by a natural environment and nearby central campus' area. The architecture is from 'pyramid' building and became one of the most unusual mosques in Semarang. Construction began in 2004 and finished in 2009.
Diponegoro University Student Centre (SC) is the central building for Undip students' activities. The student centre was built to fulfil the needs for a place where students can express their creativity and increase their achievement, and home bases for numerous UKM (Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa/Student Activities Unit). It has several rooms: one pavilion, 40 rooms for UKM, one prayer room, one canteen, and two transit rooms.
Other facilities in Undip campus are:
Undip has produced over 200,000 graduates. Many of them become a public figure, politician, entrepreneur, writer, artist, and many more. Some of the selected examples are below: