Ciambar, Sukabumi – In an effort to foster village progress and achieve sustainable development, nine students from Trisakti University carried out the *Kuliah Usaha Mandiri Ilmu Teknologi Terapan* (KUM-ITT)—an Applied Technology and Independent Enterprise program—in Ciambar Village, Ciambar District, Sukabumi Regency, from July 3 to 12, 2025. Accompanied by their field supervisor, Dr. Nurhayati, SE, ME, the students’ participation in this initiative serves as a tangible example of youth engagement in addressing the various challenges faced by the village community, ranging from economic, environmental, and infrastructure issues to matters of education and health.

Ciambar Village, like many other villages in Indonesia, continues to face various development challenges. Key concerns include limited access to education on cooperative management, the restricted competitiveness of local products, and environmental issues such as waste and diaper disposal. Additionally, issues regarding stunting, early childhood education, and inadequate infrastructure—such as street lighting and public facilities—pose further challenges.

To address these issues, the students have introduced five main programs comprising ten sub-programs, designed to meet the community’s real needs while supporting the achievement of the Village Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty); SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being); SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 5 (Women’s Involvement); SDG 6 (Sanitation); SDG 9 (Infrastructure and Innovation); and SDGs 12 & 13 (Environmentally Friendly and Climate-Responsive Villages).

Over a ten-day period, the students implemented five key programs. Community welfare initiatives included workshops on cooperative fundamentals for local cooperative administrators and training on developing traditional products—such as *opak* and *enyek*—to enhance their market value and competitiveness. Regarding environmental issues, students educated residents on the importance of household waste sorting and introduced an eco-friendly innovation: recycling used diapers into plant pots and growing media. Infrastructure revitalization efforts involved repainting a bridge and installing streetlights and convex mirrors to improve resident comfort and safety. Meanwhile, women’s empowerment was fostered through creativity training for early childhood education (PAUD) teachers, as well as education on nutrition and stunting prevention, aiming to strengthen the role of mothers in child growth and development. In the areas of education and child health, students conducted basic English training and provided guidance and practical demonstrations on proper tooth-brushing techniques, helping to build a healthy and capable village generation. This entire series of activities supports the achievement of various Village SDGs, ranging from poverty alleviation, health, education, and gender equality to environmental sustainability.

“I am delighted to meet such intelligent and critical students. Their presence has introduced me to many new things. It is my hope that the residents of Ciambar Village will truly absorb and apply the knowledge shared by the students, so that the village can progress further in the future,” said Mr. Suparkah, the Head of Ciambar Village.

Through a cross-sectoral approach, the student community service initiative in Ciambar Village serves not only as a platform for applying knowledge but also as a tangible contribution toward addressing the village community’s critical issues. This program demonstrates how collaboration between the younger generation and villagers can lay a solid foundation for sustainable development at the local level.

This initiative is expected to inspire others, demonstrating that village development is not solely the government’s responsibility but a collective movement involving all stakeholders, including higher education institutions and the younger generation as agents of change.