Studying for seven weeks at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), provided invaluable and memorable experiences for 17 students from SMKN 1 Bintuni, West Papua.
Beyond gaining new knowledge in accounting, the students expressed how much they enjoyed the outstanding academic atmosphere. They had the opportunity to try modern business applications developed by FEB UGM researchers and also learned about entrepreneurship.
For these 17 students, the lessons they received were a golden opportunity rarely available to students in Teluk Bintuni. Studying away from their hometown offered them new stories to share with their communities in the Land of Cenderawasih.
Indriyanti Erare, a student from SMKN 1 Bintuni, said she gained many new experiences she had never encountered before.
She was deeply impressed when trying out SIDEK Edu (Debit-Credit Information System for Education), a digital learning platform designed to simplify accounting education.
She shared this during the Closing Ceremony of the Intensive Training on Accounting, Institutional Finance, and Computerized Accounting for SMKN 1 Bintuni students at the FEB UGM Learning Center Function Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
She was also delighted to try SIDEK ERP, a web-based application developed to support integrated resource planning, particularly for the Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
“It was truly enjoyable to gain so much new knowledge and experience, such as learning SIDEK Edu and SIDEK ERP applications that I had never known before,” Erare said.
Erare admitted that learning new things was not easy for most students at SMKN 1 Bintuni. However, their spirit and perseverance helped them overcome the challenges.
“From Jul. 14 to Aug. 26, 2025, we joined this program. It was not easy to learn new applications, but over time, we managed to adapt. Thank you to FEB UGM for guiding us for one month. I am very proud to have joined this training,” she expressed with enthusiasm.
Vice-Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Alumni at FEB UGM, Dr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, explained that this program not only provided technical training in accounting but was also part of FEB UGM’s mission to bring tangible benefits to society through its research and educational activities.
He stated that the program resulted from a collaboration between FEB UGM, the Center for Accounting Education Studies (PKAP), the Center for Information Systems Studies (PKSI), the RDSI Accounting Research and Development Unit, and the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government since 2024.
“FEB UGM remains open to further collaboration in the years ahead,” Dr. Sahadewo affirmed.
Appreciation and gratitude were conveyed by Sahroni Kosepa, Head of the Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports of Teluk Bintuni Regency.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to FEB UGM for its willingness to collaborate in advancing education in Papua.
According to him, the training not only equipped SMKN 1 Bintuni students with technical knowledge and skills but also instilled professionalism and a strong work ethic.
“We hope the students can make the best use of the knowledge gained and maintain their enthusiasm for learning, so that in the future they can become excellent human resources to build a more advanced Teluk Bintuni,” he said.
Dr. Arika Artiningsih, Coordinator of the Center for Accounting Education Studies at FEB UGM, reported that over the seven-week program, 12th-grade accounting students from SMKN 1 Bintuni received lessons from FEB UGM lecturers covering financial accounting, digitalization of accounting, and entrepreneurship.
The students also had hands-on practice using SIDEK Edu and SIDEK ERP applications developed by FEB UGM’s Accounting Laboratory.
In addition, they visited several on-campus business units in a teaching factory program and joined cultural immersion activities at Sonobudoyo Museum, Vredeburg Fort, and the Yogyakarta Palace.
“Through this training, we hope to enhance students’ skills, boost their confidence, and help shape a generation of Bintuni youth who are excellent and adaptive,” she explained.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: FEB UGM