Jakarta, May 4, 2026 — Strengthening material resilience and stabilizing environmental ecosystems have become essential imperatives for sustaining human civilization, in alignment with the global vision and mission of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, achieving these objectives requires stronger synergy between academic frameworks and industrial practice.

In response to the practical demands of contemporary manufacturing and industry—particularly those centered on the development and reinforcement of sustainable innovation in Civil Engineering—the Civil Engineering Study Program at Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) organized an international webinar in collaboration with Hawkins Forensic Investigations and Industrial Links Pte. Ltd. as its strategic partners. The webinar was titled: “Bridging Academia and Global Industry: Sustainable Innovations in Civil Engineering and Material Supply Chain”, on 2nd of May 2026. 

Prof. Ir. Asri Nugrahanti, M.S., Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng., Vice Rector IV of UNDIRA, emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration and discourse among civil engineering practitioners and academics as a strategic pathway toward advancing technological understanding, civil engineering studies, and environmental stewardship.

“We cannot remain solely focused on theoretical development. By engaging directly with practitioners and incorporating diverse perspectives within civil engineering, we can develop solutions that are more material-efficient and environmentally sustainable, as envisioned in the SDGs,” Prof. Asri stated.

In his first presentation, Mr. Conrad Oh, Regional Sales Manager at Industrial Links Pte. Ltd., highlighted that infrastructure development often overlooks proper ecosystem governance, particularly in residential areas where inadequate water management remains a critical issue.

Mr. Oh further explained that flooding and waterlogging—often disrupting roads and infrastructure—are primarily caused by inefficient or compromised drainage systems, compounded by extreme weather conditions that deplete water resources. As a sustainable solution for metropolitan areas, he introduced Hydrorocks.

He elaborated that Hydrorocks represents a revolutionary civil engineering innovation designed to address both flooding and drought. Unlike conventional concrete piping systems, Hydrorocks does not discharge water into the sea or destabilize soil structures like subsoil pipes. Instead, it absorbs, stores, and gradually releases water into the ground as needed.

“The future of water management in metropolitan areas lies in reframing our perspective—recognizing rainwater as a valuable resource. Hydrorocks operates like a sponge, storing water and releasing it automatically when required by the soil. Made from basalt stone and encased in geotextile sheets, this system is designed for ease of installation, effective filtration of sediment and waste, and high resistance to corrosion and vehicular loads,” Mr. Oh explained.

Addressing the topic of sustainable material development, Mr. Eng Phin, B. Eng., M.Sc., MICE., C. Eng., Associate at Hawkins Forensic Investigations, emphasized the critical importance of material durability and long-term infrastructure maintenance.

He underscored that forensic engineering, material maintenance, and component investigation are essential to preventing construction failures. Additionally, forensic testing contributes to reducing carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing phase of construction components. He also highlighted that proper maintenance strategies and the selection of appropriate construction techniques are equally indispensable.

“In material forensics, cases can be categorized from specific to general levels to ensure infrastructure resilience and optimal material selection. This enables us to minimize production costs and carbon emissions while maintaining structural integrity,” Mr. Eng Phin stated.

“To achieve sustainable durability standards, consider the example of box girder bridge construction. In such projects, the quality of prestressed concrete girders and prestressing cables must be meticulously ensured. Errors during construction—particularly in the grouting phase—can lead to early-stage corrosion or internal deterioration, posing serious risks to user safety,” he added.

Through the integration of technological innovation, material resilience, and adaptive environmental management, it is expected that participants will be able to implement new perspectives in future civil engineering practices. The Civil Engineering Study Program at UNDIRA remains committed to providing relevant and applicable academic forums to develop high-quality human resources capable of addressing industrial demands while contributing to global sustainable development.

Universitas Dian Nusantara regularly organizes monthly webinar programs featuring diverse organizers and topics aligned with the latest developments in science, technology, industry, and societal needs. All past webinar sessions are also accessible via the university’s official YouTube channel, reflecting its commitment to providing broad access to knowledge and learning opportunities for both students and the general public.