Semarang, July 7, 2026 – The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Student Group of the Tax Accounting Study Program, Vocational School, Universitas Diponegoro, successfully held an activity titled “Optimization of Sawdust and Orange Peel Waste into Aromatic Briquettes” on Sunday (July 5, 2026) at Hufadz Stable Hall, Pekalongan Village, Batealit District, Jepara Regency. The participants consisted of furniture entrepreneurs and wood craftsmen in Jepara. This activity is part of the implementation of Universitas Diponegoro’s World Class University (WCU) program in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The activity was led by Maulana Zakky Pahlevi as the Chief Organizer, under the guidance of supervisor Ibu Ika Pratiwi, S.E., M.Ak. The event was also attended and supported by the Head of the Tax Accounting Study Program, Bapak Apip, S.E., M.Si., representatives of Pekalongan Village, and the keynote speaker Dr. Erna Zumrotun, S.Pd., M.Pd. The event began with an opening session, the singing of the Indonesian national anthem, followed by remarks from the Chief Organizer, representatives of Pekalongan Village and partners, as well as the supervising lecturer. Subsequently, Dr. Erna Zumrotun, assisted by the Tax Accounting student team, delivered material on utilizing sawdust and orange peel waste into value-added aromatic briquettes through the concept of a circular economy.
Not only presented as a seminar, the activity also featured a workshop session, allowing participants to directly practice the process of making aromatic briquettes together with the student team. Participants’ enthusiasm was evident from the active two-way discussions and lively Q&A session, which was further enlivened by door prizes awarded to the first two participants who asked questions.
As a form of appreciation, the committee presented certificates to the speaker and partners, followed by a session for impressions and messages. A participant representative expressed that the activity provided new insights as well as opportunities to process waste into products with the potential to increase community income.
The Chief Organizer, Maulana Zakky Pahlevi, expressed his hope that the activity would bring sustainable benefits. “I hope that through this SDGs Workshop within the framework of the World Class University program, the community of Pekalongan Village can implement waste utilization into economically valuable products, thereby improving community welfare while preserving environmental sustainability,” he stated.
Through this activity, Universitas Diponegoro students strive to provide real solutions to waste-related problems while encouraging the growth of innovation and sustainable community-based economic development in line with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).