As part of the collaborative network of the Global Center of Spatial Methods for Urban Sustainability (SMUS – https://gcsmus.org/), Universitas Diponegoro (Undip), along with other core partners from various universities in Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe, has been developing a range of cooperative activities. As part of this collaboration, four alumni from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), Faculty of Engineering – Undip earned the opportunity to participate in the PhD Training Program at Technische Universität (TU) Berlin. This six-month program, running from April to October 2025, provides participants with the chance to dive into research focused on challenges related to urban sustainability. In the first cohort, Helmia Adita Fitra (DURP 2007) participated, while in the second cohort, Tia Dianing Insani (DURP 2007), Jurike Winarendri (DURP 2011), and Leoni Dwi Agitha (DURP 2015) joined the program.
The PhD Training Program is designed to support participants in preparing research on “Wicked Urban Problems,” often associated with urban sustainability. This topic is highly relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, which focuses on “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” The program provides participants with access to the TU Berlin library, thematic excursions, and opportunities to communicate with supervisors during the research training. Additionally, the Undip alumni involved in this program will have the chance to network with participants from other universities within the SMUS network. Furthermore, at the end of the program, selected participants will have the opportunity to receive a fully-funded doctoral scholarship from SMUS through The DAAD Exceed Program.
It is hoped that this program will not only provide in-depth research experience for the participants but also open up broader opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the future development of more sustainable urban solutions. This program is also expected to encourage DURP Undip to facilitate alumni in accessing research opportunities and doctoral academic pathways. Moreover, through future collaborative programs under the SMUS network, Undip aims to promote academic and research activities that contribute significantly to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 11, by providing sustainable solutions for urban challenges in Indonesia and globally.