Bandung – The ITB Mechanical Engineering Student Association (HMM ITB) and the ITB Petroleum Engineering Student Association (HMTM ITB) have successfully executed a collaborative work program titled “Hayu Menginap dan Mengabdi [HMM] X Socio Trip].” This program is part of the implementation of the three pillars of higher education, particularly in community service. 

The goal of this program is to train HMM ITB members to connect with partner villages, and this time, Kamojang Hamlet, Laksana Village, Ibun District, Bandung Regency, was the focus of the service. Kamojang Hamlet has been a partner village fostered by HMTM “Patra” ITB since the 2018 cohort of Petroleum Engineering students. 

Choosing Kamojang Hamlet as the location for this service was not without reason. Its proximity to PT Indonesia Power, a potential future employer for Petroleum Engineering students, allows students to better understand the impacts they will experience from one of the companies they may work for. 

Recognizing the career opportunities for Mechanical Engineering students at PT Indonesia Power, HMM ITB initiated a similar goal for its members. This intention materialized in the “Hayu Menginap dan Mengabdi [HMM] X Socio Trip]” program. The activities occurred from December 20-22, 2023, in Kamojang Hamlet, Laksana Village, Ibun District, Bandung Regency. 

During their visit, the students engaged in various social activities aimed at positively impacting the local community. They visited MA Wihdatul Fikri to inspire the students’ enthusiasm for learning. Additionally, they conducted educational tours to places such as coffee cultivation and processing sites, mushroom cultivation farms, craft workshops, and met with women’s farming groups. In a tangible effort to contribute, they actively planted 300 tree seedlings with the Gunung Kamojang Farmers Group, directly contributing to the environmental sustainability of the area. 

**this activity was unique because the students were divided into several groups and stayed with local residents, participating in their daily activities. This scheme was designed to allow students to interact more closely and directly with the community while achieving the main goal of this service, which is to understand firsthand what it’s like to live alongside an industry. 

“Through this service, we learned to be more grateful after experiencing what it’s like to live alongside an industry,” said Muhammad Falih, Head of the Community Service Division of HMM ITB. The students also appreciated the local residents’ ability to develop a 5-hectare coffee plantation given by PT Indonesia Power as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This experience has not only enriched their understanding of the community but also fostered personal growth and a deeper sense of gratitude. 

Although this work program has concluded, the spirit of making a positive impact on the surroundings will not fade. In the future, the students plan to continue their community service activities by applying engineering knowledge, such as utilizing waste incinerators to manage waste and convert it into paving blocks. This initiative is a concrete step to make a positive contribution to the local community and strengthen the role of higher education in supporting sustainable development. Their commitment to ongoing service is a beacon of hope for the future of our community.