UAJY students took their learning beyond the classroom and into the community through an international service program in the Philippines. Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY), in collaboration with Bulacan State University, held a Community Service International program from January 18 to 31, 2026, in Bulacan.
The program involved UAJY students accompanied by a lecturer from the Industrial Engineering Program of the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI). Together with students and academics from Bulacan State University, they worked directly with the local community in Barangay Tabe, Guiguinto.
Focusing on waste management, the program aimed to improve how communities handle and process their waste. Activities began with field observations to understand existing conditions, followed by discussions with local barangay officials and data collection on waste sorting and disposal practices.
Based on these findings, the team developed several practical and sustainable solutions. These included processing organic waste using eco enzyme methods, redesigning separated waste bins, developing collection points and a mini material recovery facility, introducing maggot farming for organic waste, and forming a community based eco volunteer group.
The program also included a short course delivered by UAJY laboratory staff member Markus, who introduced SOLIDWORKS to students at Bulacan State University. This session provided insight into engineering design software widely used in industry and education.
This initiative created mutual benefits. Local communities gained new perspectives and tools to improve their waste management systems, while students experienced real environmental challenges and cross cultural collaboration. At the same time, the partnership between UAJY and Bulacan State University grew stronger through direct engagement and shared goals.
Through this program, UAJY shows how academic knowledge can be applied in real situations, connecting students with communities and contributing to sustainable solutions beyond national borders.
Source: UAJY
