Malang, en.SERU.co.id – Universitas Brawijaya’s Faculty of Agro-Industrial Technology and Biosystems (FTAB) has sent 856 students into all 57 urban villages (kelurahan) across Malang City. The students are rolling out 57 tailored appropriate technology innovations through the Mahasiswa Membangun Mitra (3M) program, which also supports the university’s Kampung Lingkar Kampus (KLK) initiative.
Malang Mayor Ir. Wahyu Hidayat welcomed the move, saying it aligns closely with the specific characteristics and needs of each village. The city government views the collaboration as a strong example of the hexahelix model involving government, academia, and communities.
“This program is excellent. Having students in all 57 kelurahan will help address local needs, solve problems, and unlock community potential,” Wahyu said after officiating the send-off of the 57 student teams at UB’s Rectorate Field on Monday (22/6/2026).
He added that the initiative complements the city’s RT Berkelas program, which provides Rp50 million per neighborhood unit. “We hope the students can help guide communities in setting development priorities at the grassroots level.”
The deployment was led by Mayor Wahyu Hidayat, UB Rector Prof. Widodo, and FTAB Dean Prof. Yusuf Hendrawan. The program represents a concrete partnership between higher education and local government to drive innovation-based development, community empowerment, and food security.
Wahyu emphasized that the students’ innovations go beyond academic exercises and deliver real solutions for everyday challenges while supporting sustainable urban growth. He highlighted potential benefits for environmental management, food resilience, and even inflation control through initiatives like community chili farming.
The mayor specifically asked the students to assist neighborhoods in drafting priority programs so that available resources truly improve residents’ welfare.
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University leaders highlight real-world impact
Rector Prof. Widodo described the 3M program as a natural extension of his Kampung Lingkar Kampus vision, proving the university’s commitment to making a tangible difference in surrounding communities.
“We focus on three main areas: economic development, socio-cultural progress, and strengthening community mindsets around environmental sustainability and economic independence. Support from the Malang city government makes these innovations even more impactful,” he said.
Prof. Widodo praised the FTAB team and students for taking their work directly into the field. He urged participants to immerse themselves in local culture, hone leadership skills, and uphold the university’s reputation while learning from and contributing to the communities.
FTAB Dean Prof. Yusuf Hendrawan explained that the 856 students are divided into 57 groups, supported by 102 lecturers, and will cover all five districts in the city. Their tasks include conducting surveys, coordinating with residents and small businesses (UMKM), and developing relevant technological solutions.
“This year’s 3M program carries the tagline ‘One Kelurahan, One Innovation Tool’. Each innovation is designed to tackle specific local problems — for example, plastic shredders for waste issues, compost machines for agriculture, or spinners to help small-scale entrepreneurs,” Prof. Yusuf said.
The 6-credit community service program previously ran successfully in Tulungagung Regency and Batu City. It fulfills the national mandate for universities to actively collaborate with regional governments.
Beyond building deployable technology prototypes, the program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and helps the university meet its key performance indicators (IKU). (rhd)
