Village Digitalisation Can Begin with Simple Steps
Technological developments have changed the way people obtain information. Almost all activities can now be carried out digitally, from education and health to public services. However, amid this rapid transformation, many villages still lack an integrated digital information medium, leaving residents struggling to access official information quickly and easily.
Village digitalisation is not always synonymous with building complex systems or requiring large budgets. Free platforms such as Linktree and Google Sites can serve as simple solutions to help village governments convey information to their communities.
This perspective underpinned the work programme of students from the Real Work Lecture (KKN) Sub-Group 1 R29 of Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya in Lasem Village, Benjeng Sub-district, Gresik Regency. Based on their observations, information about the village profile, administrative services, population statistics and MSME potential was still scattered across various media, meaning residents had no single, easily accessible information centre.
Through training on managing Linktree and Google Sites, the KKN students sought to help village officials build a simple yet useful digital information centre. Linktree serves as the main page linking all village information, while Google Sites is used to present information in greater detail.
The activity, carried out on Wednesday (9 July), not only introduced the use of technology but also encouraged village officials to manage the information medium independently once the KKN programme ends.
In the author’s view, the success of digital transformation is not measured by the sophistication of the technology used, but by how far that technology can answer the community’s needs. A simple platform that is easy to manage will be more sustainable than a complex system that is difficult to operate.
Village digitalisation is also not merely about keeping up with the times. More than that, digitalisation is a step towards improving the transparency of public services, accelerating the spread of information, and introducing the village’s potential to a wider audience.
Collaboration between universities and village governments is a tangible example that digital transformation can begin with simple steps. It is hoped that initiatives like this can continue to be developed so that villages can provide information services that are more effective, open and adaptive to technological developments.