SEMARANG, July 29, 2025 – The Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Diponegoro University (UNDIP), has successfully carried out an international community service program as part of the World Class University (WCU) initiative implemented by the Business Financial Strategy Expertise Group (KBK), consisting of Prof. Dr. Drs. Ngatno, M.M.; Drs. Saryadi, M.Si.; Dinalestari Purbawati, S.E., M.Si., Akt.; Gilda Maulina, S.AB., M.AB.; and Tita Alfaricha, S.AB., M.A.B., through the International Community Service (ICS) activity themed “Community Empowerment through Coffee Management and Local Product-Based Tourism,” featuring keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Balakrishnan Parasuraman, an expert in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). This service program was held in two strategic locations rich in natural and cultural potential, namely Posong, Temanggung (July 25, 2025) and Sekipan, Tawangmangu (July 26–27, 2025). This activity also involved international students from various countries, such as Haruna Kawuna (Nigeria), Ninyikiriza Deborah Lynn (Uganda), Rana Sharjeel Akhtar (Pakistan), Yusuf Abdul Razak Kamara (Sierra Leone), and Fatoumatta Touray (Gambia), who actively participated in discussion processes, field observations, and cross-cultural perspective exchanges.
In the first series of activities conducted in Posong, the activity involved various community elements such as the Tlahab village government, local coffee business actors, nature tourism managers, PKK women’s groups, and representatives from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). Discussions focused on community empowerment based on the coffee industry and village tourism. In his presentation, Prof. Balakrishnan emphasized that coffee does not only function as an economic commodity but also as an instrument for cultural preservation, strengthening local identity, and improving community welfare through product diversification, strengthening the roles of women and youth, utilizing digital technology, and establishing regional cooperation networks. This activity took place interactively and participatively, reflecting genuine synergy between academics and the community in supporting sustainable village development.
The International Community Service (ICS) series continued in Sekipan, Tawangmangu on July 26–27, 2025 through the event “Tawangmangu Coffee Fest.” This activity involved various parties, ranging from academics, coffee industry players, local communities, and was attended by the Subdistrict Head of Tawangmangu and the Village Head of Sekipan. On the first day, an International Seminar was held discussing community empowerment strategies through strengthening the coffee industry and local tourism. The Manual Brewing competition and the sale of brewed coffee products also became the main highlights, not only as a showcase of skills but also as an effort to promote Tawangmangu coffee to a broader audience. Meanwhile, the second day featured a coffee tour that introduced participants to the coffee production process from upstream to downstream through direct visits to coffee plantations and dialogues with farmers.
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The International Community Service (ICS) activities held in Posong, Temanggung, and Sekipan, Tawangmangu provide real contributions in encouraging village development based on local potential, particularly through strengthening the coffee and tourism industries. Through synergy among academics, industry players, village governments, and the community, this activity is expected to become a collaborative space that enhances community capacity, encourages product innovation, and promotes coffee as a superior local commodity with economic, social, and cultural value. The active involvement of youth and local communities reflects inclusive and sustainable development. Seminars, training sessions, competitions, and educational tours not only increase knowledge but also build public awareness of the importance of preserving local culture and utilizing digital technology in expanding marketing networks. It is hoped that the results of this activity can serve as an inspiring and sustainable service model and strengthen the position of villages as centers of innovation and self-reliance based on regional potential.