In response to the mounting challenge of waste generation in the coastal region of Sayung District, Demak Regency, 30 students from Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) — comprising Team II of the Thematic Community Service Program for Science and Technology in Assisted Regions (IDBU) 30 — were officially deployed to Sriwulan Village on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The 45-day community engagement initiative, running until August 14, 2026, centers on the theme “Community-Based Waste Management Model for Health Risk Reduction in Sayung District, Demak Regency.”
Prior to departing for their service posts, the students participated in a ceremonial send-off held in front of the Undip ICT Building. The event was attended by field supervisors Dr. Ling. Ir. Tri Joko, M.Si., and Dr. Ling. Ir. Sri Sumiyati, S.T., M.Si., IPU., ASEAN Eng., alongside Dr. Satrio Adi Wicaksono, Sp.An., and Adnan Fauzi, S.T., M.Kom., representing the Undip LPPM KKN Management. In his address, Adnan Fauzi emphasized the importance of upholding the university’s reputation throughout the service period.
“KKN students serve as ambassadors of Universitas Diponegoro within the community,” Adnan stated. “Maintain the good name of our alma mater, foster open communication with local residents, and ensure that every work program delivers tangible benefits and meaningful impact. Treat this KKN as both a learning space and a platform for dedicated service.”
The 30 participating students represent complementary academic disciplines: Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering), Public Health (Faculty of Public Health), and Communication Science (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences). This interdisciplinary collaboration is expected to yield a comprehensive approach that strengthens behavioral change through education and community empowerment.
Upon arrival at the Sriwulan Village Hall, the student contingent was welcomed by Village Secretary Mochamad Ridlo, Secretary of the Demak Regency Environmental Agency Sudarwanto, S.Pd., M.Si., and Eko Purwanto, representative of the Sayung Community Health Center.
In his welcoming remarks, Village Secretary Mochamad Ridlo expressed deep appreciation for the students’ presence. He conveyed his hope that the 45-day partnership would significantly enhance community awareness in waste management while fostering a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
Throughout the service period, the students will implement three multidisciplinary programs tailored to local needs. The first initiative focuses on promoting clean and healthy living behaviors through PHBS (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat) campaigns, education on the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), household waste sorting, and training in simple composting techniques. The second program aims to strengthen community empowerment by reinforcing the village waste bank system, thereby increasing the economic value of inorganic waste. The third program introduces organic waste management through composting workshops and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot cultivation — presented as a dual-purpose solution for waste reduction and the production of economically valuable byproducts.
Beyond outreach and training, the students will also provide ongoing mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure program sustainability. Through a participatory approach, community members are encouraged to become the primary drivers of an independent and enduring waste management system.
Through this close collaboration among students, faculty supervisors, village officials, environmental cadres, and the broader community, the IDBU 30 Thematic KKN program aspires to deliver a lasting and meaningful contribution to Sriwulan Village. More than a 45-day series of activities, this initiative represents a collective effort to instill the understanding that waste management is a shared responsibility. Ultimately, it seeks to realize a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable living environment — positioning Sriwulan Village as a model for community-based waste management in the coastal regions of Demak Regency.
