A total of 99 students from Vocational High School (SMKN) of SMKN 1 Bintuni, West Papua, are participating in a financial health literacy and character development training program at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), from July 2 to July 31. Organized through a collaboration between UGM and the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government, the program aims to prepare high-quality human resources for the workforce.
Dr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni Affairs at FEB UGM, said this year marks the third year of collaboration between FEB UGM and the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government. The growing number of participants reflects the partners’ shared commitment to improving the quality of education.
He explained that FEB UGM continues to introduce innovations in teaching and learning, including the Digital Accounting Education System (SIDEK), a digital learning platform designed to make accounting education more interactive and accessible.
In addition to gaining knowledge in financial literacy and accounting, Dr. Sahadewo encouraged the students to make the most of their temporary stay in Yogyakarta as a valuable learning experience that can strengthen their character and readiness.
“Treat Yogyakarta as a laboratory of life. When you return to Teluk Bintuni, we hope you will bring back not only knowledge but also stronger character, a greater passion for learning, and the readiness to become future leaders,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Henry D. Kapuangan, Head of the Teluk Bintuni Regency Office of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, said that the opportunity to study at FEB UGM is both an honor and a source of pride for the people of Teluk Bintuni. He expressed hope that the collaboration would continue to support efforts to improve vocational education in the region.
“The journey from Bintuni to Yogyakarta is not a short one. Make the most of this opportunity,” he said.
Dr. Kapuangan also expressed hope that the partnership would create broader opportunities for collaboration in human resource development, particularly in vocational education, to strengthen graduates’ competencies and better prepare them for the world of work. Through the training program, he also hopes to nurture competent, professional future accountants.
“Through the Special Autonomy Fund, the regional government strives to provide the best young people of Teluk Bintuni with opportunities like this. We hope that one day some of you will continue your studies at UGM and become a generation capable of leading and developing your own region,” he added.
Agus Budijanto, S.Pd., Principal of SMKN 1 Bintuni, expressed his appreciation to FEB UGM for giving his students the opportunity to participate in the program. According to him, the learning experience at FEB UGM is expected to broaden the students’ perspectives and enhance their competencies.
“We sincerely thank FEB UGM for warmly welcoming our students and us. We hope the students will gain new insights and knowledge and apply what they have learned when they return to their region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Sony Warsono, Head of the Department of Accounting, emphasized that the training program reflects the faculty’s commitment to fulfilling the Tridharma of Higher Education, particularly through community service. By transferring knowledge and practical skills, FEB UGM seeks to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening the capacity of Indonesia’s younger generation from various regions. Professor Warsono also expressed hope that the program would provide tangible benefits for all participants.
“The Department of Accounting at FEB UGM also offers mentoring programs for vocational high schools so that students are prepared for employment and have opportunities to pursue higher education,” he said.
Throughout the training, students from SMKN 1 Bintuni will receive direct instruction from FEB UGM lecturers on financial accounting and accounting digitalization, as well as hands-on practice with the SIDEK-Edu and SIDEK-ERP applications developed by the FEB UGM Accounting Laboratory.
Reportage: Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum/FEB UGM Public Relations
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: FEB UGM Documentation