UNDIP, Demak (12/5) – The Department of Economics and Development Studies (IESP) of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Diponegoro (FEB UNDIP), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia, conducted an International Community Service program in Timbulsloko Village, Demak Regency, Central Java. The initiative is part of an international collaboration to promote sustainable development in coastal areas facing significant social, economic, and environmental challenges from climate change and coastal erosion.
The program was organized as part of the International Summer Course in Energy Economics and Economic Development for Coastal Transformation, previously held at UNDIP’s Faculty of Economics and Business. Through this activity, students from both universities gained firsthand insight into the realities of coastal communities, including limited access to energy, environmental changes and challenges to sustainable economic development.
The program initiators, Dr. Jaka Aminata and Prof. Akhmad Syakir Kurnia, explained that the international community service initiative was designed not only as an academic learning platform but also as a means of fostering students’ social awareness of real-world issues affecting coastal communities.
“Through this program, students from both institutions are encouraged to directly understand the social, economic, and environmental conditions of coastal communities affected by changes in coastal landscapes. One of the issues we identified was the lack of adequate lighting in several areas where residents carry out daily activities,” said Dr. Jaka Aminata.
As a practical implementation of a sustainable energy solution, the community service team installed solar-powered street lights at several strategic locations that serve as centers of community activity. The lighting is expected to improve safety and support residents’ evening activities while serving as an example of environmentally friendly, renewable energy use in coastal regions.
Timbulsloko Village is widely recognized as one of the coastal areas in Demak Regency that has been severely affected by coastal erosion (abrasion) and tidal flooding (rob) in recent years. These environmental challenges have impacted village infrastructure, community mobility, and overall quality of life. Consequently, sustainable development and climate adaptation strategies are crucial to strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.
In addition to delivering direct benefits to residents, the program also served as a practical application of the sustainable energy concepts studied during the summer course. Students not only gained theoretical knowledge in the classroom but also observed how environmentally friendly energy innovations can be implemented to sustainably and inclusively meet community needs. Furthermore, cross-cultural interactions among participants from different countries enriched students’ global perspectives on coastal development and energy transition issues in developing nations.
This International Community Service program further underscores UNDIP’s commitment to strengthening international collaborations that generate tangible benefits for society. Through the integration of education, research, and community engagement, UNDIP continues to promote sustainable development in line with the spirit of “Noble and Valuable UNDIP”, particularly by supporting the resilience of coastal communities and advancing Indonesia’s green energy transition. (Public Communication/FEB/Edited by Nurul)
Source: Website of the Faculty of Economics and Business