Once again, the Department of Geodetic Engineering at Diponegoro University invited Dr. I Made Andi Arsana, ST, M.E., Ph.D., to deliver his signature thought-provoking insights on the future of geodesy graduates. The public lecture, held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, was titled “What’s Next? Geodetic Engineering Graduates: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead.” It aimed to encourage participants to rethink and redefine the role of mapping surveyors in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. L.M. Sabri, the Head of the Geodetic Engineering Department at Diponegoro University, and was also attended by Dr. Yasser Wahyuddin, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Dr. Sabri introduced the speaker as someone who lives by the principle “never say NO”—a mindset he praised as key to turning obstacles into opportunities. He highlighted how Dr. Arsana was invited to speak at the United Nations precisely because he didn’t hesitate to accept an English-language debate invitation in New York.
As usual, Dr. I Made Andi Arsana delivered his lecture with his signature charm and anecdotes that amused and inspired the audience. He shared his experiences from the 2024 Presidential Debate, lecturing at prestigious universities in Singapore and Australia, to debating the South China Sea conflict in Shanghai. Despite these impressive credentials, his demeanor remained humble, serving as a role model for aspiring global geospatial professionals.
With over 20 years of teaching experience in Geodetic Engineering at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Dr. Arsana—who currently leads the Geomatics Engineering Master’s Program at UGM—structured his lecture into five fresh and engaging segments: The Evolving Landscape of Geodesy and Geomatics, Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Career Paths, Critical Skills for the Future, Stories and Reflections, Challenges Ahead. During the lecture, he also took a moment to highlight the strong performance of Diponegoro University alumni in UGM’s graduate program, notably mentioning Ms. Wening, who now teaches at UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta.
His relaxed yet impactful delivery captivated more than 100 students, who followed the session attentively. He concluded by affirming his optimism: “With the strong learning spirit shown by UNDIP students, I’m confident that UNDIP geodesy graduates have a bright future ahead.” A hopeful message that was met with collective agreement and appreciation.
Thank you, Bli Made.
