Semarang, July 15, 2025 – The Department of Information and Culture, Diponegoro University Vocational School, held an online Opening Ceremony for the Vocational International Program (VIP) Summer Course on July 14–15, 2025. With the theme “Water and Culture: Exploring Traditions and Communications Across Borders,” this event brought together participants from various countries to explore the interconnection between water, culture, and cross-cultural communication.
The program attracted 99 international participants from 15 countries, including Zimbabwe, Yemen, the United Kingdom, Timor Leste, Gambia, Tanzania, Sudan, South Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Botswana, and Malaysia. The event also featured speakers from various renowned institutions around the world, namely:
Prof. Parinitha (Mangalore University, India)
Prof. Dr. Frans Wijsen (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands)
Dr. Sr. Chrisia Laura Pinto (St. John College of Humanities and Science, Mumbai, India)
Prof. Dr. Erikson Saragih, S.Pd., M.Hum. (University of North Sumatra, Indonesia)
The chairperson, Lilis Lamsehat Panjaitan, S.Pd., M.A., said that the VIP Summer Course is not only an academic forum, but also a space for exchanging cultural and scientific views on water issues.
“This program is a forum for sharing ideas, experiences, and cultural exchange. We hope that the speakers can broaden the participants’ horizons and provide them with new and useful knowledge,” he said.
Meanwhile, Undip Vice Rector IV, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., emphasized that water is a vital element that affects various aspects of life, from the environment to spirituality. He cited his experience in Demak, which often experiences tidal flooding, and highlighted UNDIP’s role in the development of hybrid sea walls.
“Water is not only a scientific or environmental issue, but also has cultural and communicative dimensions that are inherent in human history. The way we treat water is greatly influenced by cultural values and beliefs,” he explained when officially opening the event.
During the two-day event, participants attended four main sessions, namely:
Travelling Across the Water and Its Cultural Significance – Presented by Prof. Parinitha, this session discussed the symbolism of water in Black Atlantic culture, which represents power and spirituality, as well as the colonial view that sees the sea as an instrument of power and social domination.
The Significance of Water in Religious and Cultural Rituals – Prof. Dr. Frans Wijsen explained the role of water in various religions as a symbol of purity and spiritual renewal, as well as the need for synergy between technology, culture, and law to maintain environmental sustainability.
Water for 3Ps: Peace, Prosperity, and Progress – Dr. Sr. Chrisia Laura Pinto highlighted water as a symbol of global peace, prosperity, and progress, and encouraged participants to become “water guardians” who fight for fair access to clean water.
Media and Communication: Spreading the Value of Water through Media Campaigns – In the closing session, Prof. Dr. Erikson Saragih explained the role of media in spreading the important values of water through cultural and linguistic approaches that can strengthen public ecological awareness.
The VIP Summer Course 2025 series will run for three months (July–November 2025), combining synchronous learning via Zoom Meetings with resource persons and asynchronous learning via the UNDIP MOOC platform at https://moocs.undip.ac.id/course/view.php?id=85.
Participants will take part in lectures, quizzes, and final projects as part of their learning. This activity is a tangible manifestation of the UNDIP Vocational School’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of education, research, and culture. The VIP Summer Course 2025 is expected to broaden global understanding of the role of water in social, cultural, and religious life, while encouraging cross-disciplinary and cross-national collaboration in addressing current environmental challenges