UNAIR NEWS 鈥 The Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Health, Medicine, and LifeSciences (FIKKIA), 东京热 (UNAIR), organised a community service programme entitled *Empowered Biodiversity Village* in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi, on Sunday (July 27, 2026). Targeting members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK), the programme focused on strengthening the community鈥檚 capacity to build branding and digital marketing strategies for modern herbal drinks made from Kampung Osing鈥檚 local resources.
The programme, which supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 5, 8, 15, and 17, was attended by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FIKKIA UNAIR, dr Ivan Rahmatullah, MPH, PhD. In his remarks, he expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between students and the local community in developing the village鈥檚 potential through innovation and community empowerment.
鈥淭hrough this programme, students not only learn how to serve the community but also help improve the competitiveness of local products so they can thrive in the digital era,鈥 he said.
Collaboration for community empowerment
Through this initiative, BEM FIKKIA UNAIR seeks to strengthen community-based economic empowerment by highlighting local biodiversity as value-added products. This approach is expected to improve community welfare while preserving Banyuwangi鈥檚 rich natural and cultural heritage.
Dr. Rahmatullah added that synergy between universities, village governments, and local communities is a key factor in creating sustainable empowerment programmes. 鈥淰illages have tremendous potential. The role of higher education is to provide innovation and assistance so that this potential can generate economic benefits while preserving local identity,鈥 he explained.
Promoting digital marketing for MSMEs
Programme Chair Dewi Roso Wulan explained that the initiative was designed to enhance the digital marketing capabilities of MSME owners, particularly PKK members, by encouraging them to utilise digital technology to promote their modern herbal drink products. One of the main training sessions introduced participants to creating marketplace accounts as a first step towards expanding their market reach.
鈥淲e hope the participants will not only be able to produce high-quality products but also develop the skills needed to market them digitally so they can reach a wider customer base,鈥 Wulan said.
In addition to the training sessions, participants visited several MSMEs at the Osing Kemiren Sunday Market. The visit allowed them to observe first-hand how local entrepreneurs manage product marketing, packaging, and business development strategies rooted in local wisdom.
Through the *Empowered Biodiversity Village* programme, BEM FIKKIA UNAIR hopes that the people of Kemiren Village will be better prepared to face the challenges of digital marketing. The initiative also reflects the students鈥 commitment to implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through community service that creates meaningful benefits for society.
Author: Dheva Yudistira Maulana
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
