Digital Technology Reaches Muara Gembong as UNM Strengthens Collector Community

Digital transformation is not only an urban need. In Muara Gembong, Bekasi, Universitas Nusa Mandiri is working with a coastal collector community to use technology for stronger coordination and economic activity.

The university held a monitoring and evaluation session for its 2026 community service grant progress report on August 27 at Kampung Gaga, Pantai Mekar village. Eighteen lecturers, students, grant recipients, and members of the collector community took part. The community partners belong to PPTP, the Association of Pantura Pond Farmers.

The evaluation covered a program called “Strengthening a Digital-Based Coordination System for the Muara Gembong Community of Shrimp, Milkfish, and Seaweed Collectors.” Reviewers examined the program's progress, the consistency of its logbook with spending, the readiness of the expenditure responsibility statement, and achievements in the field.

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Community service must provide real benefits that are relevant to partners’ needs. Through the program in Muara Gembong, we want to ensure that the technology being developed does not stop at the conceptual stage, but can be used to strengthen coordination and support community activities.

Andi Saryoko, head of UNM's Institute for Research and Community Service, said the session was intended to assess more than grant administration. “Community service must provide real benefits that are relevant to partners’ needs,” he said. “Through the program in Muara Gembong, we want to ensure that the technology being developed does not stop at the conceptual stage, but can be used to strengthen coordination and support community activities.”

He said direct community involvement would help the team adapt its technological approach to local conditions. “We encourage UNM lecturers and students to continue delivering contextual innovation. Technology must be able to address the problems that communities actually face, including coastal communities such as Muara Gembong,” Andi said. The university said interaction among reviewers, implementers, and community partners would also support continued assistance and measurable results.

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We encourage UNM lecturers and students to continue delivering contextual innovation. Technology must be able to address the problems that communities actually face, including coastal communities such as Muara Gembong.