Equitable development across the country remains a significant challenge in realizing equitable prosperity. Students, as a catalyst for change, play a crucial role in bridging the development gap through community service.
Bina Abdi Desa (Village Development Program) is a flagship program of the Community Service Department of the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga which focuses on village empowerment through a sustainable, participatory, and solution-oriented approach. The program has entered its third year in Kandangan Village, Senduro District, Lumajang Regency, a historic village rich in potential but still facing various limitations in the education, economic, environmental, and infrastructure sectors. In the spirit of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), Bina Abdi Desa is a response to the real needs of the Kandangan Village community. Through close collaboration between students and residents, the program highlights village potential such as the Selo Geding historical site, natural tourism, and superior products such as Kirana bananas, coffee, and Etawa goats as a basis for empowerment. However, this potential has not been systematically managed and still lacks support in terms of infrastructure and digitalization. Furthermore, limited educational and health facilities are the main challenges that this program aims to address. The historical context and cultural richness inherent in Kandangan Village make it a strategic location for FEB UNAIR student community service in supporting a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Settlements).
Bina Abdi Desa is committed to encouraging social transformation by strengthening four main sectors. In the field of education, this program provides inspirational and motivational education for elementary school students to foster the spirit of achieving their dreams. In the health sector, Bina Abdi Desa focuses on improving the quality of life for the elderly through free health checks and healthy lifestyle education. From an environmental perspective, this program initiated the construction of TPS (landfills) in each hamlet and a waste sorting campaign to raise awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, in the economic sector, this program assists the community in developing Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), digitizing administration, halal product certification, and branding and marketing local MSMEs.
To support the achievement of its goals, Bina Abdi Desa is divided into two main pillars. The Community Empowerment pillar prioritizes direct student involvement in various social activities with the community, including education, health campaigns, and waste management. Meanwhile, the Village Economic Revitalization pillar focuses on strengthening the local economy through assistance with BUMDes administration, improving business units, digitizing sales, and facilitating the halal certification process for local products. This program will be implemented for seven days, from August 4 to 10, 2025.
With the presence of Bina Abdi Desa, it is hoped that FEB Universitas Airlangga will be able to play an active role as pioneers in developing an independent, healthy, and competitive community. This program is a tangible demonstration of the contribution of higher education in assisting village communities through a spirit of sustainable service.