Initially called Semarang University, the institution was named Diponegoro University on October 5, 1960, after it was granted state university accreditation by the Indonesian Government. The "Diponegoro" name is taken from an Indonesian hero who waged war against the Dutch colonialism in the early 19th century. This institution better known as UNDIP.
UNDIP is the best university in Central Java.[citation needed] It is renowned for being at the forefront of engineering and technological knowledge. During 2000 UNDIP expanded engineering faculty and research facility on its Tembalang campus, has 11 faculties and the number of research centres, in addition to academic departments to service technological, educational and research.
An important result of UNDIP’s carefully managed modernisation is a steadily improving education system that has poured millions into research and development, and to encouraging international students into the country. In the 2007 THES-QS Top World University Rankings, the Diponegoro University fared well in the ranking of the world’s top 500 universities (487th position), an increase from 495th position in 2006. The quality of teaching in UNDIP has improved greatly over recent years, following a government decree that all teachers and lecturers possess a Master/PhD degree. The strategic actions had been taken in line with to the new paradigm of the higher education development program proposed by Indonesian Directorate General of High Education (IDGHE).
