BANDUNG, UNIKOM — In strengthening its commitment to providing higher education that creates a tangible impact on society, Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM), in collaboration with the West Java Provincial Government and the Coblong Subdistrict Government, is implementing the 2026 Impactful Community Service Program or KKN Berdampak. The program is aimed at strengthening waste management while providing students with a learning environment through direct engagement with the community.
The main focuses of the KKN Berdampak in Coblong Subdistrict include education on waste sorting at the source, community assistance, strengthening waste management governance, technology-based data collection, and the development of a circular economy. Furthermore, the program represents UNIKOM’s contribution to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly sustainable urban development, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and strengthened multi-stakeholder partnerships. As part of the program’s implementation, UNIKOM officially deployed students participating in the KKN Berdampak to Coblong Subdistrict on August 12, 2026. A total of approximately 569 students were involved in directly collaborating with local communities and various government stakeholders in implementing the planned waste management initiatives.
The PIC and Coordinator of UNIKOM’s KKN Berdampak Dr. Nungki Heriyati, S.S., M.A., explained that the KKN Berdampak is a collaborative initiative between UNIKOM and the West Java Provincial Government designed to connect students’ learning processes with real-world issues in society. “On this occasion, UNIKOM has deployed approximately 569 students to Coblong Subdistrict. The main focus is addressing waste-related issues, particularly in the Coblong Subdistrict area,” explained Dr. Nungki.
The students will collaborate with urban village authorities, waste management officers, as well as community members at the RW and RT levels. The collaboration is primarily aimed at providing education on waste sorting and management while assisting community members in adopting these practices in a sustainable manner.
Impactful Community Service as an Implementation of the SDGs
The waste management initiative, which is a key focus of the Impactful Community Service (Kuliah Kerja Nyata Berdampak), is directly aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By promoting cleaner, healthier, more organized, and sustainable residential environments, the program supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Education on household waste sorting, waste reduction, material reuse, and the development of a circular economy also aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Furthermore, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and reusing materials are relevant to efforts to minimize environmental impacts and support SDG 13: Climate Action. Meanwhile, the involvement of UNIKOM, the West Java Provincial Government, Coblong Subdistrict, urban villages, neighborhood associations (RT/RW), local communities, and relevant government agencies reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Students Learn, Communities Benefit
UNIKOM Vice Rector I for Academic and Student Affairs and Chair of the 2026 UNIKOM Impactful Community Service Committee, Prof. Dr. Hj. Umi Narimawati, Dra., S.E., M.Si., emphasized that the Impactful Community Service is part of a structured learning process that has been carefully prepared through student training and field surveys before students are deployed to the community.
“Students do not only learn in the classroom. Through the KKN Berdampak, they learn to observe real conditions in the field, collaborate with the community, and apply the soft skills they have developed,” said Prof. Umi.
To ensure that the Community Service activities are implemented in a structured and measurable manner, students are accompanied by Supervising Lecturers (Dosen Pembimbing Lapangan/DPL). UNIKOM has also prepared a digital system to help monitor the activities of students and DPLs in the field. Each student activity will be recorded through the system, including its location, time, type of activity, and implementation documentation. The system is designed to ensure that students carry out activities in accordance with the established programs, while also serving as part of the monitoring and evaluation process.
From an academic perspective, the KKN Berdampak is also integrated into the learning process through a Semester Credit Unit (SKS) recognition scheme. Dr. Nungki explained that, under the scheme, Community Service activities may be recognized for up to a maximum of 20 SKS, although their implementation is adjusted to the policies and curricula of each study program.
“The conversion to SKS is approximately a maximum of 20 SKS, but this ultimately depends on each study program. For example, the Management Study Program adopts a 10-SKS scheme, while several study programs that have compulsory courses continue to conduct lectures for one or two courses,” she explained.
Rooted in Real-World Issues
The development of UNIKOM’s KKN Berdampak (Kuliah Kerja Nyata Berdampak) is based on the identification of issues encountered in the field. Dr. Agus Mulyana, S.Kom., M.T., a lecturer at UNIKOM’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (FTIK) who is involved in the development of the program, explained that the KKN Berdampak is positioned as a social project carried out seriously and systematically, rather than merely as an administrative activity of higher education institutions. “The KKN Berdampak is a social project that we can genuinely undertake with full commitment,” Dr. Agus stated.
Therefore, the approach adopted does not simply involve bringing solutions from the university to the community. Instead, it begins with identifying the needs of the community through a bottom-up approach.
In the context of waste management, the issues are mapped into three stages: upstream, intermediate, and downstream. At the upstream level, the primary issue identified is the low level of public awareness regarding waste segregation at the household level. “The major problem lies upstream, particularly in waste segregation. Therefore, the approach we take is persuasive and educational,” Dr. Agus explained.
This approach is implemented through education, practical examples, community assistance, and appreciation for residents who have begun implementing waste segregation practices.
Data-Driven Waste Management for a Well-Organized Environment
To strengthen waste management governance, Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) is developing a technology-based approach through a waste data collection system. Segregated waste bins will be equipped with QR-based identification codes that can be linked to a mobile application. The system is designed to connect each waste bin with its corresponding household or owner, allowing waste management activities to be recorded in a more systematic manner.
Supported by artificial intelligence (AI)-based features, the system is designed to help identify the condition of waste bins, including the volume and characteristics of organic and non-organic waste. The collected data will help waste management personnel determine collection priorities while providing an overview of waste generation in each area. At the neighborhood (RT), community (RW), sub-district, and Environmental Agency (DLH) levels, the data is expected to serve as a basis for determining waste management needs and policies.
This concept is encapsulated in the spirit of “Data-Driven Waste Management for a Well-Organized Environment.” According to Dr. Agus, a data-based approach is essential to ensure that policies are not formulated merely on the basis of assumptions, but rather on factual conditions in the field. “If we need to add personnel, we have the data. If we need additional infrastructure or waste collection vehicles, we already have operational data,” he explained.
Turning Waste into a Circular Economy
UNIKOM’s Kuliah Kerja Nyata Berdampak also incorporates a circular economy approach to waste management. Organic waste has the potential to be processed into maggot feed, while non-organic waste can be channeled through waste banks or repurposed into various useful products. One example being prepared is the utilization of used plastic bottles as plant pots and as part of hydroponic development. This initiative can be integrated with the “Buruan Sae” program in Bandung.
UNIKOM is also exploring opportunities to utilize technology to support cultivation processes, including technology-based watering and fertilization systems. “The main target is to reduce the amount of waste generated per day in each area, increase public awareness, and ultimately create new benefits. That is what we aim to build, which we call the circular economy,” said Dr. Agus.
Coblong Sub-District Promotes Consistency Toward Zero Waste
Head of Coblong Sub-District, Ratna Rahayu Pitriyati, S.STP., M.Si., expressed her appreciation for UNIKOM’s initiative in selecting Coblong Sub-District as one of the locations for the implementation of the Kuliah Kerja Nyata Berdampak. According to her, waste management is a strategic issue in Bandung that requires collaboration among various stakeholders. UNIKOM’s involvement is expected to strengthen the efforts of the sub-district government, urban village administrations, and local communities in finding more effective waste management solutions.
“We greatly appreciate UNIKOM for initiating this program, which will undoubtedly provide tremendous contributions and impact,” she said.
She further noted that collaboration with higher education institutions could serve as an example and encourage other universities to become involved in addressing issues faced by communities. She also called on the public to support the implementation of the Kuliah Kerja Nyata Berdampak. “Let us support this initiative, collaborate, work together, and jointly create a clean, green, and waste-free environment,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, Coblong Sub-District hopes that the impact of the community service program will continue even after the students have completed the program. Consistency is one of the key outcomes expected, so that waste segregation and management can gradually develop into a community culture.
“The output we most hope to see is consistency. We hope that there will be changes in waste management practices and that, ultimately, Coblong can become a zero-waste sub-district,” she concluded.
UNIKOM Develops a Role Model for Environmental Management
UNIKOM’s commitment to environmental management is not only directed toward the community but also begins within the university itself. Dr. Agus Mulyana, S.Kom., M.T., explained that UNIKOM is strengthening waste management practices across the campus by providing waste segregation facilities, educational initiatives, and efforts to build awareness and compliance among the academic community.
Within the UNIKOM campus environment, waste segregation is organized into several categories: organic, non-organic, residual waste, and recyclable materials.
“UNIKOM must become a role model within its own environment,” said Dr. Agus.
According to him, behavioral change cannot be achieved through instructions alone. A persuasive and educational approach is necessary to ensure that waste segregation develops from mere awareness into compliance and, ultimately, becomes a habit.
Collaboration for Sustainable Impact
The 2026 KKN Berdampak in Coblong Subdistrict demonstrates that higher education institutions can play a strategic role in addressing community issues while supporting the sustainable development agenda. Students become part of the change process, lecturers contribute through mentoring and methodological support, the government provides policy support and regional coordination, while the community serves as the key actor in ensuring the sustainability of the program.
For students, the Community Service Program provides an opportunity to develop communication, leadership, teamwork, social awareness, problem-solving, and the ability to apply academic knowledge in real-life contexts. Meanwhile, for the government, the collaboration is expected to provide additional resources, ideas, mentoring, and data that can strengthen policy-making processes. For the community, the program is expected to provide knowledge, assistance, management systems, and opportunities to transform waste into valuable resources.
Ultimately, the success of the KKN Berdampak is not measured solely by the number of students deployed or the number of activities conducted. More importantly, its impact can be seen in changes in community behavior, reductions in waste volume, the availability of data, the growth of the circular economy, and the sustainability of the systems established after the program concludes.
Through the spirit of “Data-Driven Waste Management, Better-Organized Environment,” UNIKOM and Coblong Subdistrict seek to develop an environmental management model that connects education, technology, government, and the community within a collaborative ecosystem. From campus to community, from waste to data, from data to policy, and from collaboration to tangible impact for sustainable development. (Directorate of Hms & Pro).