For 17 students from SMKN 1 Bintuni, West Papua, the opportunity to study at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM) was a valuable experience that left a lasting impression. Over the course of seven weeks, they not only gained extensive new knowledge about accounting but also experienced the academic atmosphere of a renowned university, tested modern business applications developed by FEB UGM researchers, and learned about entrepreneurship.
This learning opportunity was a golden opportunity that not everyone in Teluk Bintuni, West Papua, could experience. Studying far from home at UGM was a new experience for the young generation in this region. Indriyanti Erare, one of the students from SMKN 1 Bintuni, admitted that she gained many new experiences that she had never had before. For example, try out the SIDEK Edu (Debit Credit Information System for Education) application, a digital learning platform that facilitates accounting learning. In addition, she also tried out SIDEK ERP, a web-based application developed to assist in integrated corporate resource planning, especially for the MSME sector.
“I gained a lot of new experiences and knowledge that I had never known before, such as learning about the SIDEK Edu and SIDEK ERP applications,” she explained during the Closing Ceremony of the Intensive Training in Accounting, Institutional Finance, and Accounting Computers for students of SMKN 1 Bintuni at the Function Hall of the FEB UGM Learning Centre Building on Wednesday (27/8).
Learning new things was certainly not easy for Indriyanti and most of the students of SMKN 1 Bintuni. However, with intense enthusiasm and perseverance, they overcame the obstacles. They enthusiastically participated in the training activities from 14 July to 26 August 2025 at FEB UGM.
“Learning a new application is not easy, but over time, we were able to handle everything. Thank you to FEB UGM for guiding us over the past month. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to learn at FEB UGM,” she said enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Deputy Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of FEB UGM, Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., emphasised that this training not only provides technical training and learning related to accounting, but is also part of FEB UGM’s mission to bring tangible benefits to the broader community through research and educational activities. This programme was born from a collaboration between FEB UGM through the Centre for Accounting Education Studies (PKAP) and the Centre for Information Systems Studies (PKSI), Accounting Research and Development RDSI, with the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government since 2024.
“FEB UGM is very open to collaboration in the coming years,” he explained.
The Head of the Culture, Youth, and Sports Division of Teluk Bintuni Regency, Sahroni Kosepa, SPd.I., expressed his appreciation and gratitude to FEB UGM for its willingness to collaborate in advancing education in Papua. This training not only equipped SMKN 1 Bintuni students with technical knowledge and skills, but also a spirit of professionalism and work ethics.
“We hope that students can make good use of the knowledge they have gained and maintain their enthusiasm for learning. The hope is that they will become excellent human resources to develop Teluk Bintuni further,” he said.
Previously, the Working Group Accounting Education Coordinator at FEB UGM, Arika Artiningsih, Ph.D. CFE., revealed in her report that for seven weeks, Year 12 students majoring in accounting at SMKN 1 Bintuni received lessons from FEB UGM lecturers on financial accounting, accounting digitalisation, and entrepreneurship. Not only that, the students had the opportunity to directly practise using the SIDEK Edu and SIDEK ERP applications developed by the FEB UGM Accounting Laboratory, visit several campus business entities in teaching factories, and experience cultural immersion at the Sonobudoyo Museum, Vredeburg Fort, and the Yogyakarta Palace.
“This training is expected to cultivate skills and boost the students’ confidence, as well as produce a superior and adaptive generation in Bintuni,” he explained.
Reportage by: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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