FISIP and FIB UB Partner with Malang Regency Government to Develop Village Potential through FBD Programme

Regent of Malang, Dean of FISIP, Dean of FIB, Guests, and Participants of FBD UB 2024
Regent of Malang, Dean of FISIP, Dean of FIB, Guests, and Participants of FBD UB 2024

The Malang Regency Government is collaborating with the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) and the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in the Village Service (FBD) activity as part of the Student Building Village (MMD) programme. The FBD Student Welcoming Ceremony was held on Thursday (20/6/2024) at the Malang Regency Hall.

This event was attended by the Regent of Malang, Drs. H. M. Sanusi, M.M., along with the ranks of OPD, sub-district heads, and village heads in Malang Regency. Also present were the Dean of FISIP, Prof. Anang Sujoko, S.Sos., M.Si., D.COMM., the Dean of FIB, Hamamah, Ph.D., the community service management team, field supervisors, and students participating in MMD FISIP-FIB UB.

“On behalf of the Malang Regency government, I welcome and express my high appreciation, especially to FISIP and FIB UB, for implementing the Student Building Village activity programme this year,” said Regent Sanusi in his speech. “This collaboration involves the local government, universities, entrepreneurs, and the community, all working together to address the nation’s problems. If you need financial or material support, and the programme is clear and well-defined, we are ready to help.”

Dean of FISIP and FIB UB with Regent of Malang
Dean of FISIP and FIB UB with Regent of Malang

The Dean of FISIP, Prof. Anang Sujoko, elaborated on the collaboration between FBD FISIP-FIB UB and the Malang Regency Government. “We don’t want university students to engage only in academic fields without real action. Therefore, FISIP and FIB UB are collaborating with the Malang Regency Government to realise our aspirations. Each element can contribute to building our nation,” said Anang Sujoko.

FBD activities were conducted in 45 villages across 15 sub-districts in Malang Regency, coordinated by the Malang Regency Government, FISIP, and FIB UB. The selected sub-districts include Tumpang, Poncokusumo, Wajak – Tajinan, Ampelgading, Dampit, Sumbermanjing Wetan, Gedangan, Bantur, Donomulyo, Wonosari, Ngajum, Wagir, Kalipare, and Tirtoyudho. The selection of these locations was based on specific objectives.

“Our goal is to use a scientific approach and application within the community. We are not looking for well-developed villages but identifying areas where our team can enhance welfare,” explained Anang Sujoko. “Improvement here is not just economic but also involves developing potential. For example, FIB plans for tourism development, highlighting that potential improvement is possible. Additionally, the Regent mentioned there are vulnerable areas related to stunting.”

Handover of Plaque from the Regent of Malang to the Deans of FIB and FISIP UB
Handover of Plaque from the Regent of Malang to the Deans of FIB and FISIP UB

Meanwhile, the Dean of FIB, Hamamah, Ph.D., highlighted the focus on developing cultural potentials in the villages where FBD activities are held, aiming to introduce them at an international level.

“Indonesia is rich in culture, and the culture-based industry holds great potential here but has yet to be fully developed. For instance, South Korea has successfully promoted K-pop worldwide,” Hamamah explained.

“Our culture is vibrant but has not been adequately showcased globally. Therefore, we engage with the community to elevate local cultural potential to an international platform. However, as mandated by the Regent, we also address local issues with a cultural approach,” she added.

“If technology is introduced without the community recognising it, there is often resistance. But if we integrate it through familiar cultural avenues, we can use cultural approaches to introduce new elements while simultaneously improving community welfare,” she concluded.

The 2024 FBD activity involved 1,668 FISIP and FIB UB students, divided into 82 groups and distributed across 45 villages. The deployment occurred in three waves from June 24 to June 26, 2024, from Gor Pertamina UB, with the students conducting activities for the next 40 days. [dts/PR FCS]