Digital Technology Reaches Muara Gembong, UNM Strengthens Collector Community
Digital transformation is not only needed in urban environments. Within coastal communities, technology can also serve as a tool to strengthen coordination and support economic activity. This commitment was demonstrated by Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM), a Digital Business Campus, through the Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) of the Progress Report for the Community Service Grant from DPPM Kemdiktisaintek for the year 2026, held in Kampung Gaga RT 001 RW 004, Pantai Mekar Village, Muara Gembong District, from 10.00 to 12.00 WIB on Thursday (27/8/2026).
The activity was attended by 18 participants, comprising lecturers and students who received the grant, as well as community partners from the collector community affiliated with PPTP (Perhimpunan Petani Tambak Pantura). This Monev formed part of the evaluation of the programme “Assistance for Strengthening Digital-Based Coordination Systems in the Shrimp, Milkfish, and Seaweed Collector Community in Muara Gembong”, which was developed to help partner communities utilise technology to strengthen the coordination of their activities.
The event began with Siti Fauziah from the PkM Unit of LPPM UNM, followed by the presentation of the progress report by Dr. Linda Marlinda, M.M., M.Kom. The evaluation was conducted by Dr. Ali Khumaidi as reviewer, discussing the programme’s development, the alignment of the logbook with the use of funds, the readiness of the Statement of Responsibility for Expenditure (SPTB), and the achievements of activities in the field.
Andi Saryoko, Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) at Universitas Nusa Mandiri, stated that the implementation of Monev is not merely about ensuring that grant administration complies with regulations, but also about ensuring that the programme genuinely addresses the needs of the community.
“Community service must have tangible benefits and be relevant to the needs of partners. Through this programme in Muara Gembong, we want to ensure that the technology developed does not stop at being a concept, but can be utilised to strengthen coordination and support community activities,” said Andi in a press release received on Thursday (3/9).
According to him, direct community involvement is an important part of programme development. Input from partners can serve as a basis for the team to refine the technological approach so that it is better suited to conditions and needs in the field.
“We encourage UNM lecturers and students to continue presenting contextual innovations. Technology must be able to answer the problems actually faced by the community, including coastal communities such as in Muara Gembong,” he said.
The interaction between the reviewer, the implementing team, and partners during the Monev also provided a space to evaluate the programme’s implementation directly. This approach is expected to strengthen the sustainability of the assistance while ensuring that the programme’s achievements can be measured.
“As a Digital Business Campus, Universitas Nusa Mandiri continues to encourage the use of technology to answer community needs through research and community service. The support of the Community Service Grant from DPPM Kemdiktisaintek for the year 2026 is one of the spaces for the UNM academic community to present applicable and impactful digital solutions,” he concluded.