Jakarta, 7th of August 2025 - As a prove to its commitment to strengthening the downstream application of knowledge and empowering communities, Dian Nusantara University (UNDIRA), together with several other universities under the Creative Economy (Ekraf) team, took part in the KKN Tematik Merajut Nusantara 3 program in East Nusa Tenggara on Friday (August 1, 2025).

The creative economy is a sector that relies on creativity, innovation, skills, and local cultural heritage to produce value-added products. It serves as the backbone for developing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on local wisdom that can compete in modern markets.

Three UNDIRA students — Cantika Agustina (Communication Studies), Mohammed (Informatics Engineering), and Vicky Khoeroni Excelino (Management) — actively contributed to the Ekraf team under the supervision of Field Advisor Lecturer Anton Kurniawan, S.P., M.M.

Upon arriving in Lengkosambi Village, Ngada Regency, the UNDIRA team and fellow Ekraf groups from other universities visited the Isma Mandiri weaving artisan group and personally spoke with Mama Maria, one of the traditional craftswoman representative. According to her, ikat fabrics (a type of woven silk based local products) are generally produced only for ceremonial orders, as their production still relies on traditional methods that take up to two weeks per piece.

In response, the UNDIRA team provided digital marketing training covering the utilization of social media, management of online stores on e-commerce platforms, and the creation of e-brochures as digital catalogs. This initiative aims to open broader market access and enhance the competitiveness of the village’s woven products.

In addition, as part of an economic diversification strategy for MSMEs, the team conducted training in making scented candles so that residents could have alternative creative products ready to be sold through online marketplaces. This diversification is considered effective in boosting household income while strengthening local economic resilience.

Beyond economic empowerment, the UNDIRA team and the Ekraf group also encouraged villagers to maintain environmental cleanliness as part of efforts to enhance the tourism ecosystem. A cleanup activity on Rutong Island served as a symbol of synergy between nature conservation and the advancement of village tourism potential.

All the efforts and knowledge brought through the KKN Tematik Merajut Nusantara 3 activities received positive responses from the local community.

“All the efforts and knowledge brought by the student team through the KKN Tematik Merajut Nusantara 3 program have been very beneficial for us. I truly appreciate their presence, which has helped open up new insights, particularly in digital marketing and in expanding the reach of our woven products to wider markets,” as Mama Maria expressed.

Through this series of activities, the KKN Tematik Merajut Nusantara 3 program is expected to become a catalyst for the growth of a highly competitive creative economy in Lengkosambi Village — rooted in local culture and supported by a sustainable environmental ecosystem while also bringing about a meaningful and long lasting improvements to the villagers livelihood.

(Danang Respati Wicaksono / Humas UNDIRA)