Diponegoro University, Semarang – May 2025
The Master of Management Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Diponegoro, proudly hosted an international guest lecture titled “Driving Excellence: An International Perspective on Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement” on [insert exact date], featuring Mr. James Hildebrand, a Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, as the keynote speaker.
The event opened with welcoming remarks delivered by Dr. Mirwan Surya Perdhana, Head of the Master of Management Program. In his speech, Dr. Perdhana emphasized the importance of Lean Six Sigma as a valuable skill for students in business, management, and engineering. He explained how this methodology fosters synergy, project management, problem-solving, and analytical thinking—qualities that are increasingly sought after in today’s competitive job market.
Mr. Hildebrand’s session provided in-depth insights into the philosophy and practical applications of Lean Six Sigma. He explained that Lean focuses on maximizing value by eliminating waste and improving process flow, while Six Sigma aims to minimize variation and defects through data-driven decision-making. According to Hildebrand, these two concepts complement each other—Lean improves speed and efficiency, whereas Six Sigma ensures quality and precision. When combined, they provide a comprehensive approach to continuous improvement.
Importantly, Hildebrand also addressed the relevance of Lean Six Sigma for organizations of all sizes, including small businesses. He emphasized that companies do not need to adopt all tools and phases of Lean Six Sigma at once; rather, they should tailor the implementation based on their specific scale and needs.
The success of the event was made possible through the strong collaboration between the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Engineering at UNDIP. Special appreciation was extended to Prof. Purnawan Adi Wicaksono and Prof. Arfan Bachtiar, who not only teach at the Faculty of Engineering but also contribute to the Master of Management Program. Their students from the Department of Industrial Engineering also played an active role in organizing the event.
The program also acknowledged the generous support of PT Ebani Karib Setia, led by Mr. Erick Ananta Haryo Purnomo, whose sponsorship made the event possible.
Dr. Perdhana closed his remarks by expressing his hope that the lecture would strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration within UNDIP, in line with the university’s shared vision: Undip Bermartabat, Undip Bermanfaat, Undip Jaya.