UNIMUH Makassar Wins "Impactful Student Program – Aksara Peduli 2026", Develops Innovative Coconut and Educational Tourism in Selayar

SELAYAR – The University of Muhammadiyah Makassar (Unismuh Makassar) is introducing sustainable agriculture innovation and educational tourism development through the Mahasiswa Berdampak–Aksara Peduli 2026 program, which is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. This program, titled “Empowering the Bontomarannu Community through Sustainable Coconut Innovation for Strengthening Agriculture and Educational Tourism”, is being implemented in the village of Bontomarannu, Bontomanai sub-district, Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi.

This program is designed to optimize the potential of local villages through the development of appropriate technology in the agricultural sector, as well as digital innovation in the management of educational tourism. Through this approach, it is hoped that communities will be able to increase the added value of local resources, strengthen productive economic activities, and develop tourism potential in villages sustainably.

The implementation team is led by Dr. Wildhan Burhanuddin, M.Hum., Prof. Dr. Syamsia, S.P., M.Si., and Dr. Dewi Sartika, S.TP., M.Si, with UKM Bahasa Unismuh Makassar and students from various study programs involved.

Turning Coconut Waste into Value-Added Organic Fertilizer

One of the key innovations in this program is in the agricultural sector, through the application of a production unit and standard operating procedures (SOP) for the production of slow-release granular organic fertilizer. This fertilizer is developed using biochar raw materials from young coconut shells, chicken manure, and molasses.

This innovation is aimed at increasing the utility of coconut waste and also promoting the principles of the circular economy at the community level. Through the use of available materials in the surrounding environment, farmer groups are expected to have an alternative means of agricultural production that can be developed according to local needs and potential.

This technology also has important value in terms of scientific development and innovation. The development of granular organic fertilizer has already obtained a simple patent status under the name LP3M Unismuh Makassar, Number S00202511569.

The program targets the Julu Tia Farmer Group, consisting of 22 people. Through mentoring and the application of appropriate technology, farmer groups are expected to be able to increase their capacity in processing local raw materials into products with added value and support more sustainable agricultural development.

Develop Bilingual Educational Tourism Based on Digital Technology

In addition to the agricultural sector, this program also promotes the development of tourism potential in the village of Bontomarannu through the development of Bontomarannu Bilingual Educational Tourism Package. This initiative is designed to enrich the tourist experience through the presentation of informative, interactive, and accessible information about the destination in two languages.

The development of educational tourism is supported by the application of information systems and bilingual interactive interpretive tourism equipment based on Quick Response Code (QR Code) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This technology allows visitors to access information about destinations and local potential more conveniently through compatible digital devices.

This innovation is expected to help communities introduce their potential in a more attractive way, while also strengthening the quality of tourism services and destination promotion.

The development of this information system and equipment has also obtained a Copyright category for equipment with Number EC002026156850 / 001448282, entitled MALINO BITE.

In its implementation, the program involves the Bontomarannu Tourism Group (Pokdarwis) consisting of 27 people, as well as the Bontomarannu Village Government as a government partner. The involvement of these partners is an important part in strengthening the capacity of bilingual tourism guidance, destination governance, and digital promotion so that the potential of the village's tourism can be developed more effectively.

Involve 20 Students from Various Disciplines

The Mahasiswa Berdampak–Aksara Peduli 2026 program is also a direct learning opportunity for students through interdisciplinary collaboration. A total of 20 students from eight study programs are involved in this activity, namely English Language, Agrotechnology, Informatics Technology, Management, Accounting, Midwifery, Communication Science, Islamic Education (PAI), and Arabic Language Education.

Students undergo 40 days of effective field placement with a target of at least 160 Student Work Hours (SWH) per student. This interdisciplinary involvement allows for the combination of language, agricultural, information technology, management, communication, and other competencies to address community needs in a comprehensive manner.

Through field activities, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge, interact directly with communities, and understand the challenges of developing village potential. At the same time, the community benefits from knowledge and skills that can be used to develop agricultural and tourism activities.

Promote Village Economy and Sustainable Development

The integration of agricultural and educational tourism innovation is the main strength of this empowerment program. In the agricultural sector, the processing of coconut waste is aimed at increasing the added value of local resources and supporting the circular economy. Meanwhile, in the tourism sector, the development of bilingual tourism packages and digital information technology is expected to strengthen the promotion of destinations and increase the capacity of communities to manage village tourism potential.

This program is also in line with the Asta Cita, specifically the 5th aspiration regarding the upscaling and increasing of added value within the country, and the 6th aspiration regarding development from villages to promote economic equality and poverty eradication.

Through collaboration between universities, students, farmer groups, tourism groups, and village governments, the village of Bontomarannu is expected to be able to develop coconut and educational tourism potential as a productive and sustainable local economy.

This initiative also emphasizes the role of universities in providing innovation that not only develops technology but also promotes the application of knowledge to strengthen community capacity, increase the added value of village potential, and create opportunities for more inclusive economic development.

More broadly, this program supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goals 8goal 12

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1 No Poverty

SDG 4 Quality Education

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities