Universitas Indonesia (UI) has completed a series of Community Service and Empowerment Festival events held on October 2-4, 2024. Located at the UI Library, Depok Campus, this event was designed to disseminate the results of community service programs from three major scientific fields, namely health, science-technology, and socio-humanities.
Dr. Fristian Hadinata, M.Hum., a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) UI, who acted as the talk show coordinator, explained that this event aims to reach a wider audience. “The implementation of thousands of community service programs in various regions in Indonesia is proof that UI is always close to the community. In this talk show session, community service workers from 32 community service programs shared their experiences related to the community service programs they run,” he said. According to Fristian, this dissemination is expected to strengthen the partnership between UI and various parties, including local governments and the wider community.
In addition to the talk show, this festival presents various UI community service innovations and products. Dr. Hendra Kaprisma, S.Hum., and Novika Stri Wrihatni, M.Hum., lecturers at FIB UI, introduced cultural digitization programs, such as West Sumba folklore comics and story-based animations from the Adiparwa Book. Both see cultural digitization as an effort to introduce local wisdom to the younger generation through relevant and easily accessible media.
From the science-technology side, Dr.-Ing. Ova Candra Dewi, S.T., M.Sc., a lecturer at the UI Faculty of Engineering, emphasized the importance of community involvement in every community service program. He said that the technological innovations displayed at this festival, such as the bee house prototype and geotourism application, are not only beneficial to the community, but also have their use expanded. “Cross-disciplinary cooperation and collaboration with external partners are very important for the success of community service programs,” said Dr. Ova.
Meanwhile, drg. Benso Sulijaya, Sp. Perio(K), Ph.D. from the Faculty of Dentistry UI, conveyed the importance of collaboration in dealing with health issues, especially the problem of stunting in UI’s fostered areas, such as Baduy and the Seribu Islands. “Some of the main problems we face in eradicating stunting are early marriage and malnutrition,” he said. He hopes that the results of the talk show on this issue can be disseminated to encourage local government involvement.
In addition, the UI Community Service Festival provided free health services for around 300 residents. These services include general health checks and dental health checks, which were enthusiastically received by the community. “There were 300 participants who received direct examination and consultation services, both dental, oral, and general health,” said drg. Benso. He hopes that next year this service can include the provision of free medicines.
The event, which lasted for three days, succeeded in attracting the attention of many parties, and is expected to be a bridge connecting UI with the wider community, as well as strengthening partnerships with various sectors.
