BANDUNG, UNIKOM – The Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) has demonstrated the real contribution of students in solving environmental issues through the “Impactful PKM” program. The PKM activity was carried out over one semester from September 2025 to January 2026, presenting innovations in waste shredding technology and an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Smart Maggot cultivation system as solutions to increase independence and sustainability in waste management in Mekarmanik Village, Cimenyan District, Bandung Regency.
Residents of Mekarmanik have long faced challenges in managing household waste, particularly organic waste that accumulates due to limited shredding equipment and slow decomposition processes. In response to this situation, BEM UNIKOM launched a collaborative program between BEM Nandanasena, the Codelabs Division, and the Labkat Division of UNIKOM, focusing on promoting the application of smart technology that can be directly utilized by the community.
The Impactful PKM Program in Mekarmanik Village was carried out by involving 22 students, including 16 students from BEM Nandasena, 4 students from Codelabs, and 2 students from Labkat, as well as a committee from the UNIKOM study programs of Informatics Engineering, Information Systems, Communication Science, Management, Accounting, and Computerized Accounting, under the direction of the Chief Executive, Andrias Darmayadi, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., with Moch Nafis Azhar as the person in charge of the activity, and guided and accompanied by UNIKOM lecturers, including Dr. Hj. Supriyati, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., ASEAN CPA., C.PI., CIAP, AMKI., and Dian Dharmayanti, S.T., M.Kom. Cross-disciplinary collaboration was implemented to ensure each stage of the activity was carried out effectively and on target.
The series of program activities began with the handover of an automatic waste shredder and an AI-based maggot cultivation system to the Mekarmanik Village Government. This innovation received a positive response from residents because it not only speeds up the process of managing organic waste but also produces outputs that can be reused, such as maggot feed and organic fertilizer.
In her speech, Dr. Supriyati emphasized the importance of utilizing appropriate technology to create an independent and empowered environment. “We hope that this tool will not only be a solution for waste management, but also trigger a change in people’s mindset about the importance of recycling and environmental independence,” she said.
Meanwhile, support also came from the village government. The Head of Mekarmanik Village, Mr. Nanang, expressed his appreciation for UNIKOM contribution. He considered that the presence of waste shredding technology was the answer to the problem of organic waste management that had been burdening residents. Expressions of gratitude were also conveyed by the Heads of RW 04 and RW 05 as well as the Secretary of Karang Taruna RW 04, who had directly experienced the benefits of this tool.
After the handover of the equipment, the activity continued with training on the use of waste shredding equipment, the theory and practice of maggot cultivation, and the application of the “AI-based Smart Maggot” system. The training used a hands-on method so that residents could understand the maggot cultivation cycle and become skilled in developing the processing system independently. An educational game session was also held to ensure residents’ ability to apply the knowledge they had been given.
Appreciation for the program was evident from the enthusiasm of the residents and the village government. The Secretary of Mekarmanik Village hopes that the PKM activities can continue until the evaluation stage in the third year, as a commitment to maintaining the sustainability of technology-based waste management.
The Impactful PKM program also strengthens the implementation of UNIKOM Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), particularly in the aspect of community service. The application of waste shredding technology and AI-based Smart Maggots in Mekarmanik Village is expected to become a model of independent, productive, and sustainable village-level environmental innovation.
Through the Impactful PKM Program, UNIKOM affirms that collaboration between academics and the community can produce real solutions that not only address environmental issues but also open new economic opportunities for the community. The program marks the first step toward smarter and more competitive environmental management. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
Translated by Vina



