UTM–UNDIP International Capstone Project on Ecotourism

aishahrosli

SEMARANG, July 28 – The Centre for Engineering Education (CEE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), together with the Faculty of Industrial Engineering (Fakultas Teknik Industri), Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), successfully carried out an International Capstone Project that brought together students from both institutions to tackle issues in ecotourism.

The project was initiated and led by Dr. Nurzal Effiyana Ghazali, Director of CEE, UTM, alongside Dr. Naniek Utami Handayani, Dr. Muhammad Mujiya Ulkhaq, and Faradhina Azzahra from UNDIP. Representing CEE, UTM, Dr. Aishah Rosli accompanied four students, three from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM) and one from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), who joined their UNDIP peers for a week of immersive cultural learning and collaborative problem-solving.

Over the course of the programme, students explored key ecotourism sites in Semarang. At Desa Wisata Wonolopo, they learnt the traditional craft of making jamu (herbal drinks). At Zie Batik, they created batik scarves using the shibori technique, coloured with natural dyes such as blue pigment extracted from mangrove fruit waste. The students were also shown the small greenhouse where plants used to make dyes are grown and the process of making the popular blue dye. At Maerokoco, a mangrove eco-tourism site, the students experienced a guided tour, learnt how the site is managed and promoted as an ecotourism destination, and even interviewed the site manager to gain deeper insights into its operations and challenges.

The students were presented with the opportunity to make jamu in Desa Wisata Wonolopo

The interview session with the Manager of the mangrove eco-tourism site in Maerokoco gave the students valuable insight for their project

This trip was a return visit, following UNDIP students’ earlier programme at UTM in January 2025, where both sides visited Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia’s iconic mangrove site. While rich in biodiversity, Tanjung Piai was observed to have untapped potential in its management and promotion. Drawing lessons from their Semarang experiences, the mixed UTM–UNDIP teams brainstormed ways to enhance Tanjung Piai’s ecotourism appeal, applying design thinking methods to propose creative solutions. One group was even assigned the special task of developing a wind speed detector for the site.

In the design thinking stage, each student had to brainstorm and sketch three solutions each, before discussing and combining elements of each idea into one solution presented by the group

The project showed how international exposure and joint problem-solving can inspire students to apply engineering knowledge beyond the classroom. By learning from ecotourism practices in Indonesia, the UTM students were able to reflect critically on how to improve ecotourism management in Malaysia, particularly at Tanjung Piai.

The solutions were presented as models or 3D drawings for better visualisation

Each solution utilised recycled materials and the existing infrastructure in Tanjung Piai as much as possible, keeping in mind the challenges that are present, such as the wild animals in the area

The International Capstone Project demonstrates UTM’s and UNDIP’s shared commitment to providing student-centred, experiential, and impactful learning opportunities through cross-border collaboration.

For more information or to explore future opportunities, please contact the CEE team at cee@utm.my.

By Dr. Aishah Rosli (aishahrosli@utm.my)