SBM ITB has partnered with the Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD ITB) and Universitas Pendidikan Muhammadiyah (UNIMUDA) Sorong to enhance economic independence and creativity in Southwest Papua. Through this collaboration, ITB conducted a series of community service activities from August 20 to 28, 2024, to improve the skills and competencies of residents and teachers in Sorong Regency.
The program kicked off in Kampung Kuadas, Makbon District, Sorong Regency, where ITB’s community service team, composed of academics from SBM and FSRD ITB, led workshops for 25 local women. A key highlight was a tie-dye product-making workshop using tissue, designed to provide a new source of income for the local community.
“This program aims to promote the creative economy as a solution to improve community welfare,” said Dr. Eng. Nur Budi Mulyono, a representative from SBM ITB. He stressed that developing creative skills can transform ideas into sustainable income streams.
In addition to the hands-on training, participants were also educated on market pricing strategies, which are expected to help increase the competitiveness of their products in larger markets. Dr. Muksin from FSRD ITB noted that creativity is essential for crafting unique, high-value products. He expressed hope that the community would leverage local resources to create products that are not only aesthetically appealing but also economically viable. The facilitator team included SBM ITB lecturers Ilma Aulia Zaim, Ph.D., Lisandy Arinta Suryana, MSM, and SBM ITB student Mochamad Haikal Ghiffari.
The collaboration extended to art training sessions at the UNIMUDA Convention Center (UCC) in Sorong, aimed at teachers in Sorong Regency. The sessions focused on teaching drawing techniques, tie-dye creation, and leaf printing art using simple, readily available materials like tissues and leaves. The training was led by Dr. Muksin, S.Sn, M.Sn, and supported by Dr. Dikdik Sayahdikumullah, M.S., Zusfa Roihan, S.Sn, M.Sn, along with FSRD ITB students, including Raisa Ulima Mulyono, Kiara Shafah Khalisah Chaidir, and Betiq Laiqa Fatiha.
“We want to challenge the perception that fine arts are expensive and difficult to teach in remote areas,” explained Dr. Muksin. Meanwhile, the SBM ITB team introduced teachers to basic concepts of creative economy marketing, such as segmenting, targeting, and positioning (STP), to increase the economic value of the art produced.
The series of activities culminated in a public lecture on August 27, 2024, at UCC UNIMUDA Sorong. During this event, Dr. Nur Budi Mulyono addressed the topic of digital transformation in business, while Dr. Muksin discussed the development of artistic creativity in achievement programs.
The collaboration between ITB and UNIMUDA Sorong was warmly received by Nita Indriyani, M.T., Head of the Chemical Engineering Study Program at UNIMUDA Sorong, who expressed her hopes for meaningful knowledge transfer to their students and the potential for continued collaboration in the future.
This program not only enhanced the skills of residents and teachers but also significantly contributed to promoting economic independence in Southwest Papua. The synergy between education and community service exemplifies how collaboration between institutions can lead to lasting, positive impacts on the community.
