Indonesia
Dean of FCS UB, Dr. Hipolitus K. Kewuel, and H3 Cultural Community
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Universitas Brawijaya (UB), Assoc. Prof. Hamamah, Ph.D., received a visit from representatives of the H3 Cultural Community (Hurip, Hurup, Handarbeni) from Mangliawan Village to discuss water conservation from a cultural aspect on Friday (11/1/2024).
Representatives of the H3 Community, Achmad Junaidi (Chairman) and Orien Haryono (Secretary) expressed their gratitude for the assistance of FCS UB Academicians who have been building their confidence as a small community.
“We are grateful because, since 2018, we have been accompanied very intensively by academicians from FCS UB. What we have been doing at the grassroots has received the support and touch of experts on the cultural movement of water conservation. We are truly grateful. Culturally, we understand that in this collaboration, we are being accompanied by the king of Brawijaya. That is what makes us strong and excited,” Junaidi said.
In its plans, the H3 Cultural Community hopes to further develop its cultural activities in water conservation.
“We have carried out many cultural activities for water conservation, such as cleaning and maintaining water sources, reviving water rituals, and initiating a water conservation culture discussion group called Pasinaon. For the future, we still expect the support of FCS UB academicians to assist us, not only to provide academic support but also to build our confidence as people from humble backgrounds at the grassroots of Mangliawan village,” said Orin.
Responding to the expression of the heart of the H3 Cultural Community representative, the Dean of FCS UB said this movement was very positive. It is unique that the issue of water conservation is approached culturally. According to her, there needs to be more intensive discussions to build a better and more developed cooperation scheme.
“I think this is a good practice of the community that needs to be supported by academicians. Support schemes need to be built to provide real support. We need to support what the community has done. Campuses must develop ABGCM (Academician, Businessmen, Government, Community, Media) work patterns. The community is one of the stakeholders that we need to support in academic work,” said Hamamah.
Dr. Hipolitus K. Kewuel, a lecturer partnering with the H3 Cultural Community in his academic work, added that working with the community is dynamic and requires diligence.
“There are many dynamics in society, so academic work amid them is not always smooth. Some clashes and obstacles must be approached patiently before taking a suitable companion step. The H3 Cultural Community has experienced the ups and downs of struggle until it finally has a legal entity as a form of development of organizational maturity. It is important to build the work of the community in the future,” Dr. Hipo concluded. [trans.acl/ed.dts/PR FCS]