WUACD organised an International Student Mobility Program with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu as they go through community empowerment activities in FIKKIA Universitas Airlangga, Banyuwangi. Delegates from UMT experience various activities, from environmental conservation to climate awareness, community engagement, sustainable energy, and more. One of the topics is about cultural and heritage preservation. These activities went on from the 11th until the 14th of November 2024.

Delegates from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu were introduced to Jamu, a natural herbal medicine in Indonesia. Jamu has different variants with different ingredients used depending on each region the jamu is from. One of which is famously from Banyuwangi as jamu in Banyuwangi has many health benefits and uses local ingredients in recipes from generations ago. This topic relates closely to SDG point 15: Life on Land as consuming and learning about Jamu is good for health and has sustainable resource use as it utilizes locally sourced, natural ingredients, which minimizes environmental impact. Besides the benefits Jamu preserves as a traditional drink, Jamu in Indonesia is an ancestral heritage and must be preserved for future generations.

Besides deepening their knowledge about Jamu, one of the Indonesian traditional cultures, delegates from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu were able to learn about local culture in Kemiren Village where UMT students get to learn about Banyuwangi’s locally sourced and traditionally-made coffee. After that, to broaden their knowledge of Indonesian culture in Banyuwangi, UMT students went to Bangsring to learn about underwater culture. This topic relates closely to SDG point 14: Life Below Water as delegates were able to get a glimpse into Banyuwangi’s vibrant marine ecosystem and its community-driven conservation. This conservation is conservation for coral reefs and quarantine houses for Blacktip Sharks. The way these conservation sites have lasted for over 10 years made it the right place for the students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu to get to know the marine ecosystem and conservation in Banyuwangi.

Besides exploring Banyuwangi’s culture by visiting and learning in Kemiren Coffee Vilage and Bangsring, delegates could also learn more about Banyuwangi’s government office and traditional house and explore Banyuwangi’s local art, culture, and history at Blambangan Museum. This museum is considered as the right place for the participants to learn about Banyuwangi and its cultural preservations as Blambangan Museum protects and conserves the local art and culture of Banyuwangi. Therefore, visiting Blambangan Museum allowed the delegates to learn more about Banyuwangi’s cultural identity and adding new and fresh insights for the participants.

In conclusion, UMT students were able to broaden their perspectives regarding the local culture in Banyuwangi as they actively participate in local traditions and experience the beautiful nature of Banyuwangi. Through these activities, UMT students actively engaged with local communities, contributing to environmental conservation, sustainable energy initiatives, and cultural preservation. Delegates foster a deeper understanding of local culture by learning about Jamu, local-made coffee, visiting local museums as well as experiencing the rich marine ecosystem.