17.4.3 Education For SDGs In The Wider Community
Education for SDGs in the Wider Community at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS)
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) is committed to promoting sustainable education not only for its academic community but also for the wider public. In 2024, UNS organized various educational and community outreach activities aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of sustainability issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among alumni, local residents, and other community groups. These initiatives reflect UNS’s dedication to making knowledge about sustainability accessible beyond the campus.
- Education for Local Communities
- Outreach Educational Activities for Local Community: Sustainable Food Processing Training in Desa Puron
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), through the Applied Energy Conversion and Nanotechnology Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering, together with Group 222 of the KKN UNS program, conducted a community outreach educational activity in Desa Puron, Kecamatan Bulu, Sukoharjo. This program aimed to enhance the skills of local residents in processing food using natural colorings, which are healthy, environmentally friendly, and economically valuable. The training covered the selection of raw materials, production processes, and natural coloring techniques for drinks, gethuk, and cookies. Students from the research group and KKN UNS actively participated under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Techn. Suyitno, S.T., M.T., demonstrating UNS’s commitment to education for sustainability beyond the campus.
The activity received strong support from local authorities, including the Village Head, Mr. Wahyu Riyanto, and the District Head, Mr. Widyanto Setya Wibowo, as well as other officials. They emphasized the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, the government, and the community in promoting local economic development. This partnership reflects UNS’s approach to engaging the wider community, ensuring that educational initiatives benefit not only students but also local residents.
Through this outreach educational program, residents of Desa Puron are expected to develop high-quality, natural coloring-based food products that can compete in local and national markets. The initiative not only strengthens the local economy by optimizing natural resources but also exemplifies UNS’s dedication to sustainability education for the wider community, aligning with the key objectives of SDG 17 by involving local residents and fostering community empowerment.
- Community Outreach and Sustainability Education: Festival GEMERICIK for Young Farmers in Karanganyar
The Architecture Study Program at the Faculty of Engineering (FT) UNS, in collaboration with FSRD UNS and LPPM UNS, organized the Festival Gebyar Memanen Bersama Petani Cilik (GEMERICIK) at Wisata Embung Setumpeng, Mojogedang, Karanganyar. This outreach educational activity, part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, aimed to introduce traditional farming practices to young people, especially children, while integrating disaster mitigation education through interactive games and exhibitions. The event actively engaged students in practical agricultural activities, exhibitions, and educational games to increase awareness of early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
The festival was designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team of UNS faculty members and students from the Urban Rural Design & Conservation Lab (URDC Lab), in partnership with Universitas Muhammadiyah Karanganyar and the local government of Desa Gentungan. Participants, mainly local schoolchildren, took part in harvesting activities and visited interactive exhibition zones displaying local agriculture and culture, eco-design installations, and disaster mitigation simulations. The program emphasized hands-on learning and community participation, reflecting UNS’s commitment to education for sustainability beyond the university.
Through Festival GEMERICIK, UNS demonstrates a strong focus on outreach educational activities for the local community. By involving children, local farmers, students, and educational partners, the program strengthens community engagement, builds knowledge of sustainable agriculture and disaster preparedness, and aligns with SDG 17 by fostering collaboration between the university and the wider society.
- Outreach Educational Activities for Teachers: Health in Our Hands Workshop on STEM and Genetics
The Biology Education Research Group at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) conducted a community outreach educational program through the International Community Service Grant (PKMI) from LPPM UNS. The program, titled Health in Our Hands (HiOH), was implemented in collaboration with the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, USA, and conducted in two hybrid sessions from June 15–16 and July 16–18, 2024. The workshop targeted science and biology teachers, aiming to enhance their Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and skills in STEM-based integrative project learning, with a focus on genetics and diabetes as a real-world context. This initiative is directly aligned with Education for Sustainable Development and contributes to SDG awareness by equipping teachers to engage students in sustainable practices and scientific reasoning.
The first session, attended by 250 online participants, featured Dr. Consuelo Juliette Morales from Michigan State University, who provided lesson units and strategies for teaching genetics and environmental interactions. The second session involved 50 local teachers in an in-person workshop at FKIP UNS, facilitated by UNS faculty, including Dr. Meti Indrowati and Ibu Febriani Sarwendah Nugrahaeni. Teachers participated in hands-on activities, including blood glucose and blood pressure measurements, online simulations, and practice in scientific modeling, aiming to improve students’ understanding of diabetes causes and health-related decision-making. Additionally, participants were trained to develop educational materials for marketing on Teachers Pay Teachers, linking local teaching practices to international educational platforms.
Through this outreach educational activity, UNS demonstrates its commitment to extending sustainability education to the wider community by engaging educators as multipliers of knowledge. By enhancing teachers’ skills in STEM teaching and integrative project learning, the program ensures that students and school communities gain awareness of sustainable development and health education, thereby fulfilling key aspects of SDG 17 by fostering knowledge transfer and community capacity building.
- Community-Based Disaster Education: Creative Design Thinking with Pekarya Sungai Sumber
The Japan Studies Center (PSJ) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) implemented a community outreach educational activity in collaboration with Pekarya Sungai Sumber (PSS), a local river conservation community in Kelurahan Sumber. This initiative, supported through the International Community Service Grant (PKMI – UNS), focused on disaster management education and environmental preservation along the Kali Anyar river. The program engaged local residents, activists, students, and children in hands-on activities such as river clean-ups, waste management education, and creative learning through games and interactive designs inspired by Japan’s Iza! Kaeru Caravan disaster mitigation model.
The outreach program combined research, teaching, and design practice by involving UNS faculty and architecture students from the Urban Rural Design & Conservation (URDC) Lab. Activities included focus group discussions (FGDs) with children to map local knowledge, interests, problems, and aspirations regarding river safety and disaster preparedness. Educational tools were developed in the form of interactive games and disaster kits, integrating local wisdom and creative design thinking to strengthen the community’s awareness and preparedness. Children actively participated and learned about flood response, environmental cleanliness, and disaster readiness through engaging play and discussion.
Through this program, UNS demonstrates its commitment to education for sustainability and disaster preparedness in the wider community. By collaborating with local residents, children, and community groups, the university fosters knowledge transfer, community empowerment, and the development of practical skills, thereby fulfilling key aspects of SDG 17 by bridging academic expertise with community needs and promoting long-term, sustainable impact.
- Outreach Educational Program on Sharia Financial Literacy at SMA N 2 Surakarta
On 8 May 2024, the Islamic Law and Civilization Research Group at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) conducted a community outreach educational activity at SMA N 2 Surakarta. The program, titled “Raising Awareness on Sharia Financial Literacy and the Risks of Online Loans,” targeted high school students and teachers to enhance their understanding of responsible financial management under Sharia principles. The initiative addressed the increasing popularity of online loans, emphasizing the importance of knowing loan procedures, interest rates, legal compliance, and potential risks associated with fintech services.
The activity featured expert speakers, including Faoyan Widodo from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Solo, who presented on financial management and investment awareness, and Hatta Syamsuddin, a specialist in Sharia Economics, who explained the dangers of online loans from a Sharia perspective. The session was highly interactive, with participants actively asking questions and engaging in discussions on financial literacy and responsible borrowing. School officials, including the principal, Drs. Mohammad Amir Zubaidi warmly welcomed the program and acknowledged its value in raising awareness among students and teachers.
Through this outreach educational program, UNS demonstrates its commitment to sharing knowledge of financial literacy and responsible economic behavior with the broader community. By engaging students, teachers, and experts, the university fosters community empowerment, knowledge transfer, and the development of practical skills, aligning with SDG 17 by providing dedicated educational activities that benefit the broader society.
Source: https://hukum.uns.ac.id/pengabdian-masyarakat-tim-grup-riset-hukum-islam-dan-peradaban-2024/
- Engagement with Alumni
- Alumni Engagement for Student Motivation: Sharing Success Story at FK UNS
The Faculty of Medicine (FK) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), ranked third among medical faculties in Indonesia according to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, held the Sharing Success Story Alumni Berprestasi event. The annual program aims to strengthen relationships with alumni while providing current students with insights and inspiration from the successful careers of alumni. The 2024 session featured Major General Dr. Prihati Pujowaskito, an alumnus and current Dean of the Faculty of Military Medicine at Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia, who shared his professional journey and strategies for achieving success.
The event engaged alumni, faculty leaders, and students in interactive discussions, highlighting key elements of success, including consistency, responsibility, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Alumni emphasized the importance of networks, mentorship, and community contribution in professional development. The session also reinforced how alumni achievements contribute to the international recognition and reputation of FK UNS, demonstrating the impact of alumni involvement on the university’s standing and accreditation.
Through this outreach educational activity, FK UNS demonstrates how alumni engagement can serve as a valuable educational resource for the broader community. By sharing experiences and best practices, alumni help prepare students for future careers, motivate them to pursue excellence, and foster knowledge transfer, reflecting UNS’s commitment to Education for Sustainable Development and the objectives of SDG 17.
- Active Alumni Engagement, Alumni Scholarship, and Documentation
UNS Alumni provide scholarships to support equal access to higher education. The Alumni Association (IKA) from various faculties of Sebelas Maret University (UNS) demonstrates its strong commitment to expanding equitable access to education for underprivileged families across Indonesia by offering scholarships for students to pursue their studies at UNS (https://www.instagram.com/p/C8_XOaxPXrd/). To streamline the application process, scholarship registration can be completed through the official online platform https://sibea.integrasi.uns.ac.id/
As an example of this initiative, in August 2024, the Faculty of Law Alumni Association (IKA FH UNS) awarded scholarships to several deserving students.The alumni association of the Faculty of Law at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), IKA FH UNS, maintains a dedicated online agenda page that documents various alumni-engagement events scheduled for 2024. On their website, under “Agenda”, the association lists announcements, such as scholarship recipients for the odd semester 2024 and periodic alumni reception events. This documentation highlights the active and systematic relationship between the university and its alumni network, showing that alumni engagement is coordinated, visible, and ongoing.
Other faculty alumni associations under UNS, such as IKA FK UNS, IKA FT UNS, and IKA FISIP UNS, also implement similar programs, regularly organizing events, workshops, and networking sessions for their graduates. These activities demonstrate a university-wide commitment to sustaining alumni engagement and leveraging alumni expertise to support current students and the broader community.
By maintaining this archive of alumni oriented events, UNS demonstrates an outreach educational activity that targets the wider community of graduates. Such engagement enables alumni to stay connected with their alma mater, contribute to current students, and share their experiences, thereby supporting knowledge transfer beyond the campus. In line with SDG 17’s aim of strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development, the university’s documented alumni agenda provides clear evidence of institutional commitment to involving its alumni community as part of the educational ecosystem.
- Outreach Education for Displaced and Migrant Communities
- ADEM Program by FKIP UNS
In 2024, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), in collaboration with the Educational Financing Service Center (Puslapdik) of Kemdikbud Ristek, implemented a dedicated outreach educational program for disadvantaged and displaced communities through the ADEM (Afirmasi Pendidikan Menengah) initiative. This program specifically targets children of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) living abroad in regions such as Sabah, Sarawak, and Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as well as students in Papua and Special Regions of Indonesia. By focusing on these vulnerable groups, the program aligns directly with SDG 17’s objective to provide educational opportunities and capacity-building activities for the broader community, including displaced people and refugees.
The program combines educational, research, and monitoring activities to enhance the quality of education and overall well-being for ADEM participants. UNS researchers and students conducted studies, including the profiling of ADEM students, a cost structure analysis, and an evaluation of financing and service models. These activities generated evidence-based recommendations to refine education financing mechanisms, enhance service delivery, and inform affirmative education policies. Through this approach, FKIP UNS ensures that displaced and disadvantaged communities receive targeted educational support, fostering inclusive access to learning and knowledge transfer beyond the campus.
Long-term plans focus on sustaining and expanding access for displaced and marginalized communities, integrating research findings into national education policies, and developing efficient systems for financing and delivering education services. By engaging directly with students from migrant, displaced, and remote communities, FKIP UNS demonstrates its active role in outreach educational activities for the wider community, fulfilling key aspects of SDG 17 and promoting inclusive, high-quality education for all.
Source: https://fkip.uns.ac.id/2023/10/fkip-uns-sepakati-kerjasama-dengan-puslapdik-kemendikbudristek/
- Outreach Education and Empowerment for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia
In July 2024, the Master’s Program in Economics and Development Studies (MESP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia and the NGO PERMAI (Pertubuhan Masyarakat Indonesia), organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and educational outreach activities for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and their children in Malaysia. The initiative focused on identifying challenges faced by PMI and its supporting organizations, and on providing targeted educational support, including financial planning, business management, and motivational learning for children. By engaging directly with displaced and migrant communities, the program aligns with SDG 17’s objective of delivering dedicated educational activities to the wider community.
The FGD sessions facilitated knowledge sharing and the co-development of actionable plans for future outreach programs, ensuring that UNS’s expertise in economics and development could directly address the needs of migrant communities. On the second day, children from PMI participated in educational activities that emphasized motivation to learn and cultural awareness of Indonesia, providing both academic enrichment and personal empowerment despite living in foreign environments.
Through these activities, UNS demonstrates its commitment to outreach educational activities for displaced and migrant communities, fostering inclusion, capacity building, and sustainable development. By combining research, community engagement, and international collaboration, the program exemplifies how universities can contribute to SDG 17 by strengthening education, partnerships, and the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Through these activities, UNS demonstrates a strong commitment to extending education for sustainability to the wider community. The involvement of alumni and local residents shows that the university is actively engaging with society, providing practical knowledge and skills, and supporting the achievement of the SDGs beyond its immediate academic environment.