FIB Unpad Strengthens Community Empowerment through “Unpad Bermanfaat” Program in Sumedang
Sumedang, September 2025 – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Padjadjaran continues to show its dedication to community service through the Unpad Bermanfaat program, which is now in its third year. Bringing together lecturers, students, and cross-faculty partners, the initiative has made notable contributions to sustainable development in villages throughout Sumedang Regency.
The program focuses on four village development models:
- Socio-Economic Development,
- Cultural Tourism Villages,
- Pesantren-based Socio-Economic Development, and
- Cultural Literacy Villages
Empowering Villages through Local Wisdom
A notable feature of the program is located in Desa Jatiroke, Jatinangor, which is currently being developed into a cultural tourism village. Initiatives include the installation of signage at the Teras Gunung Geulis tourist site, the promotion of the local coffee brand “Gugels,” and the revitalization of Sundanese arts such as pencak silat and singa depok. Furthermore, training sessions are being conducted for village officials to enhance their competencies in tourism management and promotional activities.
In Desa Nagarawangi, teams provided digital marketing training to help local SMEs, especially in coffee and furniture production. A documentary about the village’s history and tourism potential was also created and shared online, highlighting the impact of digital storytelling in strengthening local identity.
Meanwhile, Desa Sindulang has concentrated on eco-friendly agriculture. Farmers and youth groups were supported in developing organic vegetable businesses, partnering with supermarkets, and exploring food exchange programs to enhance children’s nutrition. The “Julang Food” initiative by women’s groups transformed surplus tomatoes into innovative processed products.
In Desa Citengah, cultural literacy has been the focus. Programs include creating a Sekolah Budaya (Cultural School), preserving the traditional Songah musical instrument, and supporting community-based art performances. These initiatives not only protect cultural heritage but also enhance creative education for local youth.
Collaboration across Disciplines
The Unpad Bermanfaat program isn’t limited to FIB lecturers alone. Academics from the Faculty of Medicine, Agriculture, Industrial Agricultural Technology, Animal Husbandry, Communication, and Social and Political Sciences have collaborated on implementing the projects. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that solutions address multiple aspects of community development. With over 30 projects completed across Sumedang, FIB Unpad has demonstrated its role as an agent of change that connects academic knowledge with community needs. “Through these initiatives, we hope to create sustainable model villages where local wisdom, cultural richness, and modern innovation coexist to improve community welfare,” said Prof. Aquarini Priyatna, Dean of FIB Unpad. As the program progresses, FIB Unpad is dedicated to strengthening collaboration, expanding impact, and ensuring that Unpad Bermanfaat truly lives up to its name—delivering meaningful benefits to society.
