UNIDA Gontor Helps Kampung Bambu Mojorejo Level Up Through Technology and Digital Markets
Universitas Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor is encouraging the development of Kampung Bambu in Mojorejo Village, Jetis District, Ponorogo Regency, so that it does not stop at traditional craft production. Through the third year of the Village Development Programme (PDB), craftsmen are being strengthened with appropriate technology, design innovation, business management, and digital marketing.
The community service programme, chaired by Prof Dr Mohammad Muslih, involves the community, business actors, higher education institutions, and the Mojorejo Village Government. The two main partners involved are Roemah Bamboe and Deling Studio.
The assistance is directed at the problems faced by craftsmen in their daily activities. Roemah Bamboe is focused on increasing production capacity and quality, while Deling Studio is encouraged to strengthen design creativity while expanding its market.
Partners are not only placed as programme recipients. They are involved in identifying needs and determining the direction of business development so that the technology and training provided can answer the problems they face.
A number of technologies are being introduced to improve the quality of bamboo products. These include a steam dryer to help process raw materials, electric finishing equipment, a laser cutter, and vacuum packaging.
The use of this technology is expected to improve quality while increasing the added value of products. Craftsmen have long possessed bamboo processing skills, but scaling up the business demands consistent quality, production efficiency, and the ability to produce more diverse designs.
The assistance does not only touch the production process. The programme also includes digital bookkeeping, inventory management, marketing through e-commerce, eco-lifestyle design development, quality control, and catalogue photography.
Training is carried out in stages through workshops, practice, and mentoring. This approach is intended so that technology does not stop as equipment assistance, but can truly be used and developed independently by the community.
The third year of the programme is also beginning to pay greater attention to product prototype development. Strengthening quality, brand identity, and digital marketing is positioned as an important part of bringing Mojorejo bamboo products to a wider range of consumers.
Support from the Mojorejo Village Government is an important part of the programme’s development. The village government has been involved since the initial coordination and socialisation so that the development of Kampung Bambu can be connected to the village development agenda and does not stop after the university programme ends.
The collaboration brings together three strengths. Higher education provides knowledge and technology, the community brings skills and production experience, while the village government strengthens institutional support.