BANDUNG, UNIKOM — The Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) continues to promote the use of digital technology within the community through its Community Service (PKM) activities. This time, the Communication Studies Program at UNIKOM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) partnered with the Cipatat Subdistrict Youth Organization in West Bandung Regency to strengthen the capacity of youth organizations through the implementation of digital-based organizational communication. Under the theme “A Digital Organizational Communication Model for the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna through the Implementation of Slack and Trello,” the event took place on Sunday, July 26, at the Nyalindung Village Sports Hall in Cipatat Subdistrict, West Bandung Regency.
A total of 20 participants representatives of the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna Executive Forum (FPKT) and Karang Taruna members from several villages took part in the event, which combined an understanding of digital organizational communication with hands-on practice using the Slack and Trello applications. This event was part of an effort to help youth organizations adapt to developments in information technology, particularly in establishing more effective, collaborative, transparent, and well-documented communication patterns.
During an interview, PKM Executive Chair Inggar Prayoga, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., explained that digital transformation within an organization goes beyond the use of technology; it also involves changes in communication culture and organizational governance. “Digital transformation isn’t just about using apps; it’s about building a communication culture that is faster, more collaborative, transparent, and well-documented. “Through the use of Slack and Trello, we aim to help Karang Taruna establish a more effective organizational communication system so that it can improve the quality of its services and the implementation of its work programs,” said Inggar.
According to him, advancements in digital technology have transformed the way organizations communicate and collaborate. Therefore, as a youth social organization, Karang Taruna needs to leverage technology to strengthen cross-village coordination while enhancing the effectiveness of managing various activities.
The event began with opening remarks from Junjun Rohadi, Chair of the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna. He expressed appreciation for the collaboration between UNIKOM and the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna, particularly in enhancing human resource capacity through the strengthening of digital literacy. “We would like to thank the Communication Studies Program at UNIKOM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences for selecting the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna as a partner in this activity. This training is highly relevant to our organization’s needs, especially for improving coordination among board members and streamlining communication in implementing various social programs,” he said.
Additionally, similar appreciation was expressed by the Nyalindung Village Government, represented by Hamlet Head Didin Solihin. According to him, collaboration between universities and the community is a vital form of synergy in supporting village development, particularly through enhancing the knowledge and capacity of the younger generation. “We warmly welcome this activity because it provides new knowledge that is greatly needed by the younger generation. Hopefully, the knowledge gained will not stop in the training room but can be applied in the activities of the Youth Association in each village,” said Didin.
The event was then officially opened by the Chair of the Communication Studies Program at FISIP UNIKOM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manap Solihat, M.Si. In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manap emphasized that community service is one of the forms of implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, which must be able to provide solutions to community needs. “Higher education institutions not only generate knowledge but also have a responsibility to provide solutions for the community. Our collaboration with the Cipatat Subdistrict Karang Taruna is a manifestation of our commitment to supporting the digital transformation of youth organizations so that they become more adaptive, professional, and capable of delivering broader benefits to the community,” he said.
Moving on to the main session, participants were presented with two complementary topics. The first session, titled “Digital Communication Transformation for an Innovative and Responsive Karang Taruna,” was presented by Inggar Prayoga, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom. The session discussed the paradigm shift in organizational communication in the digital age, strategies for building effective internal communication, the importance of digital documentation, and the use of technology to enhance organizational productivity.
Next, Donny Reza, S.T., M.Kom., an information technology expert at UNIKOM, provided technical training on using the Slack and Trello applications. Participants not only gained a theoretical understanding but were also guided through hands-on practice using both platforms from creating digital workspaces, assigning tasks, managing projects, and scheduling activities, to monitoring the progress of collaborative work programs.
The participants’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the event. Interactive discussions and hands-on practice demonstrated the strong interest of the Karang Taruna leadership in adopting digital communication systems for their daily organizational activities. Through this PKM activity, the Communication Studies Program at FISIP UNIKOM hopes that the implementation of Slack and Trello can serve as a model for digital organizational communication that supports improved coordination, accelerates decision-making, and strengthens collaboration among Karang Taruna leaders in Cipatat Subdistrict.
More than just training in the use of applications, this activity is part of UNIKOM’s efforts to build the capacity of youth organizations so they can better adapt to technological developments and the demands of organizational management in the digital age. Through this PKM initiative, the Communication Studies Program at FISIP UNIKOM reaffirms its ongoing commitment to supporting the community through the application of communication science and digital technology. With this capacity-building, youth organizations are expected to become increasingly capable of establishing effective communication, managing programs collaboratively, and making broader contributions to the community. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
