Saparudin earned the 75th doctorate degree in Civil Engineering of Untar, after defending his dissertation entitled “Increasing the Compressive Strength and Supportability of Soft Soil Using Scoria Basalt Geopolymer Cement”, Monday (22/1) at Campus I Untar.

Saparudin’s dissertation started from the observation of soft soil distribution in Indonesia which reaches 20 million hectares, but the commonly used soft soil repair is only Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and lime, which are considered not environmentally friendly.

To overcome this, he offers a solution in the form of a mixture composition and soft soil stabilization method using Basalt stone powder Geopolymer cement.

Furthermore, Saparudin revealed that the scoria basalt stone Geopolymer cement product would be more suitable and efficient to be utilized in areas that have abundant scoria basalt stone reserves and soft soil conditions.

Co-Promoter Dr. Ir. Rajiman, S.T., M.T., M.M., I.P.M., ASEAN Eng. advised Saparudin to continue learning anywhere, anytime and by anyone.

“On campus we learn first and then we are given a test, while in real life we are given a test first and then we learn from the test we face,” Rajiman continued closing the session.

Saparudin, who is also a member of the Merauke DPRD, graduated with a Grade Point Average of 3.94 and was awarded a very satisfactory predicate.

The open dissertation examination was led by the Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Agustinus Purna Irawan, M.T., M.M., I.P.U., ASEAN Eng. As the main promoter, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sofia W. Alisjahbana M.Sc. Ph.D., I.P.U., ASEAN Eng. and Assistant Promoter Dr. Ir. Rajiman, ST., MT., MM., I.P.M., ASEAN Eng.

Meanwhile, the Board of Examiners consisted of Harto Tanujaya, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Prof. Ir. Roesdiman Soegiarso, M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Ir. Hendrik Sulistio, M.T., I.P.M., and Ir. Ronny Hasudungan Purba, M.Sc., Ph.D. (LA/AW/KJ)