LAMONGAN, June 11 – Participants from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) successfully completed a four-day community engagement programme in Lamongan, East Java, under the Global Community Outreach 2026 initiative held from 8 to 11 June 2026.

The programme aimed to strengthen collaboration between universities and local communities while promoting sustainable development through knowledge-sharing, environmental education and community-based learning activities. Throughout the programme, participants worked closely with community members, gaining valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices and local empowerment initiatives

Upon their arrival in Lamongan, participants were warmly welcomed by the Village Head of Sumbersari Village, local community representatives, lecturers from UTM and ITS and student volunteers. The opening session at Pendopo Literasi provided an opportunity for participants to learn about the community’s sustainability initiatives and establish meaningful connections with local stakeholders.

One of the programme highlights was the Budikdamber (Budidaya Ikan Dalam Ember) activity conducted together with women from the local community.

Budikdamber is an innovative farming approach that integrates fish cultivation and vegetable planting within a single container system. Through this hands-on activity, participants learned practical techniques that can support household food security while maximising the use of limited space and resources.

Participants also visited Pendopo Literasi in Sumbersari Village, Sambeng District, Lamongan Regency, where they were introduced to community-based agricultural and livestock innovations.

The session was led by Tomi Distianto, Chairman of the Literasi Livestock Farmers Cooperative, who shared the cooperative’s transformation from a local livestock group established in 2022 into a community-driven enterprise focusing on beef cattle farming, organic fertiliser production, aqiqah services, agricultural education and sustainable livelihood development.

During the visit, participants gained first-hand exposure to sustainable livestock farming practices and circular economy principles implemented by the cooperative. Through a step-by-step demonstration, Tomi explained how cattle waste is processed into biogas as a renewable energy source and transformed into organic fertiliser for agricultural use.

The session highlighted how local communities can convert agricultural waste into valuable resources while generating economic opportunities and reducing environmental impacts.

Beyond technical knowledge, the programme provided participants with opportunities to broaden their global perspectives, strengthen intercultural understanding and appreciate the importance of community participation in achieving sustainable development goals. The close interaction between students, academics and community members fostered meaningful knowledge exchange and strengthened the partnership between UTM, ITS and the local community.

The programme concluded with a closing session at Edufarm Literasi before participants returned to Surabaya. The experience not only enhanced participants’ understanding of sustainable agriculture and community empowerment but also reinforced the value of collaborative efforts in building resilient and self-sustaining communities.