A total of 99 students from State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Bintuni, West Papua, officially began a training program on financial health literacy and character development at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Supported by the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government, this collaborative program will run intensively for a full month, from July 2 to July 31.
Vice Dean of FEB UGM, Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, Ph.D., revealed that this initiative is a real manifestation of a strategic partnership now entering its third year. Through this program, students are not only equipped with conventional accounting theory but are also introduced to the Accounting Education Digital System (SIDEK), an innovative platform designed to facilitate understanding of accounting processes digitally and interactively.
Furthermore, Gumilang advised the students to make the most of their brief period of study in Yogyakarta as a 'living laboratory'. He hopes this experience will shape their character, broaden their intellectual horizons, and instill a spirit of leadership when they return to their hometowns.
Head of the Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office of Teluk Bintuni Regency, Dr. Henry D. Kapuangan, stated that this program is an essential investment for the future of regional vocational education. His department is committed to continuing the use of Special Autonomy funds to provide quality education access for local youth, hoping they can become professional workers capable of developing their own region.
Echoing these sentiments, Head of the Accounting Department at FEB UGM, Prof. Sony Warsono, Ph.D., emphasized that the university's involvement is part of implementing the Higher Education Tridharma in community service. During the training, students will receive direct mentoring from expert lecturers as well as hands-on practice using SIDEK-Edu and SIDEK-ERP applications to ensure they acquire practical skills relevant to today's industry needs.
