The University of Indonesia (UI) implemented a follow-up international community engagement program in Selangor, Malaysia, from 1–3 May 2026 under the Enhancing Quality Education for International Impacts and Recognition (EQUITY) Community Development Grant. The initiative was developed based on evaluations of an earlier program conducted on 10–12 December 2025, which included teacher training, children’s literacy classes, and soap-making workshops using recycled used cooking oil.
Following field observations and discussions with the Indonesian community, UI identified the need to strengthen child development and parenting support. The follow-up program adopted an integrated family-centered approach by combining sensorimotor development activities for children, interactive science education, and parenting workshops. Conducted in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the program involved 61 participants, comprising 35 children and 26 parents. The initiative reflects UI’s commitment to sustainable, evidence-based community engagement while strengthening international collaboration and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
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Selangor, Malaysia – Responding to the evolving needs of Indonesian families living abroad, the University of Indonesia (UI) returned to Malaysia with a follow-up community engagement program aimed at strengthening child development and parenting practices. The initiative was implemented from 1–3 May 2026 in Selangor as part of the Enhancing Quality Education for International Impacts and Recognition (EQUITY) Community Development Grant, involving 61 participants, comprising 26 parents and 35 children.
The program built upon an earlier phase of community engagement conducted from 10–12 December 2025, during which UI organized a series of educational and community empowerment activities, including teacher capacity-building workshops, children’s literacy classes, and environmentally sustainable soap-making training using recycled used cooking oil. These activities were designed to strengthen educational capacity while promoting sustainable livelihood skills among Indonesian communities in Malaysia.
Following the initial program, the project team conducted evaluations, field observations, and discussions with community representatives to better understand the challenges faced by Indonesian migrant families. The findings revealed a growing need for programs that support children’s holistic development while equipping parents with practical strategies to nurture their children’s learning and well-being despite the demands of work and migration. These findings became the foundation for designing the second phase of the program.
Adopting an integrated family-centered approach, the follow-up initiative combined child development activities, science education, and parenting support into a comprehensive community engagement program. Rather than focusing solely on children’s learning, the program aimed to strengthen the role of families in creating a supportive environment for children’s growth and development.
The children’s program featured interactive sensorimotor development classes facilitated by lecturers and students from UI in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Through three thematic activities—Obstacle Course, Quiet Walk, and Collaborative Giant Drawing—children developed their gross and fine motor skills while enhancing cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, creativity, communication, and teamwork.
One participant, Sarla, a student from SB Meru, shared her excitement about the experience.
“I’m very happy that the students and lecturers from UI and UTM came here. I can learn while playing, and I hope they can visit us again in the future,” she said.
The learning sessions continued with an engaging science education program led by the project leader, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Agustino Zulys, M.Sc. Through a series of interactive chemistry experiments, children observed scientific phenomena firsthand, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and a greater appreciation of science through experiential learning.
The program concluded with a parenting seminar delivered by Dini Rahma Bintari, M.Psi., Ph.D., psychologist and lecturer at UI’s Faculty of Psychology. The session emphasized the importance of quality parent-child interactions and provided practical strategies for maintaining meaningful engagement despite busy work schedules.
“Even five minutes of a parent’s presence at home can be incredibly valuable for a child,” Dini said.
She also expressed hope that similar initiatives could be expanded to other countries with large Indonesian diaspora communities.
“Many Indonesian families living overseas need access to educational support and parenting resources. We hope programs like this can be implemented in more countries, creating greater opportunities for Indonesian communities abroad while contributing to the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045,” she said.
Beyond benefiting participating families, the initiative strengthened collaboration between UI and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia while fostering closer partnerships with Indonesian community organizations and schools in Malaysia. The program demonstrates how international academic collaboration can translate research findings into practical community-based interventions that respond to real societal needs.
The initiative also reflects UI’s commitment to implementing sustainable community engagement through a continuous cycle of implementation, evaluation, and follow-up. By designing evidence-based interventions that evolve according to community needs, the university seeks to generate lasting social impact for Indonesian communities beyond national borders.
The EQUITY Program at the University of Indonesia is a strategic initiative supported by the Higher Education Endowment Fund under Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek). The program aims to strengthen UI’s global engagement, accelerate its international recognition, and expand its contribution to society through impactful international community engagement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES