RCE
EAST JAVA
Connecting education, research, and local initiatives to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across East Java.
A leading regional centre of excellence for sustainable development in East Java.
2021
Established as part of the global United Nations University (UNU) network to address environmental and social development challenges through education.
- 1 Promoting the integration of SDG principles into both formal and informal education curricula.
- 2 Facilitating collaborative research between universities and practitioners to generate real-world solutions in East Java.
- 3 Building awareness and capacity of local communities for environmental action.
Partners & Collaborators
Latest Activities
Capacity Building
RCE Strengthens Qualitative Research Skills Through LevelUp Program
JEMBER – To strengthen research quality through valid and in-depth qualitative data collection, the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) organized the LevelUp Program under the theme "Qualitative Data Collection Strategies and Techniques". The training was held at the RCE Office, 5th Floor of the ISDB Building, on Wednesday, June 24. The program featured Erwin Nur Rif'ah, S.Sos., M.A., Ph.D., a RCE Researcher and Lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), University of Jember, as the keynote speaker. The training was designed to help participants develop practical qualitative research skills, including preparing interview guides, conducting in-depth interviews, using probing techniques, and documenting research data systematically. "Research assistants are expected to collect data objectively and in depth. They must be able to use active probing techniques to explore informants' responses without judging or influencing their answers," said Erwin Nur Rif'ah. Instead of a regular seminar, the program focused on interactive learning through hands-on activities. Following the presentation session, participants were divided into small groups and assigned real case studies. Each group prepared a set of interview questions before taking part in a role-play session, where they practiced conducting interviews using open-ended questions to explore participants' perspectives. Each simulation was followed by a comprehensive review led by the speaker. During the review session, the speaker provided feedback on how participants used probing techniques and reminded them to remain neutral during interviews. Participants were also reminded to avoid closed-ended questions and not to influence informants' answers. The program concluded with an interactive discussion, allowing participants to reflect on the challenges they encountered during the practice session and seek further clarification from the speaker. Through this LevelUp Program, RCE aims to strengthen the members' qualitative research skills while establishing a standardized foundation for qualitative research practices. The program is expected to help research assistants become more disciplined, analytical, and confident in conducting qualitative research, allowing them to contribute more effectively to future RCE research projects.
Empowering Sustainable Communities: Inside the SIRAMA Digital Ecosystem by RCE East Java
In the pursuit of sustainable development, true community empowerment relies on giving citizens and local leaders clear, actionable information. RCE East Java has brought this philosophy to life in Desa Taman through SIRAMA—an innovative, dual-platform digital ecosystem featuring a comprehensive web portal and an intuitive mobile application. Far from just an administrative tool, this digital suite acts as an educational and civic bridge, bringing transparency, simplicity, and active participation directly to the palm of every villager's hand. At the center of this technological leap is the SIRAMA web platform, designed as an all-in-one administrative hub for village managers and neighborhood heads (Rukun Tetangga). The website opens with an accessible landing page where residents can quickly look up their tax bills online, emphasizing ease of use from the very first click. Behind the secure login, village administrators are welcomed by an analytical dashboard that provides a clear, real-time overview of the village’s financial health. This dashboard displays vital, up-to-date statistics, including total tax bills generated, total funds collected, and pending payments, alongside land and building tax values (NJOP). Through organized menus, administrators can manage neighborhood lists, coordinate designated tax collectors, update taxpayer profiles, and even import external tax spreadsheets to keep the village records perfectly synchronized. To ensure this digital transition reaches everyone, RCE East Java developed the SIRAMA mobile application, specifically tailored for on-the-go tax collectors and community members. Upon logging in with their national identification number (NIK), local tax officers can immediately access a mobile dashboard that mirrors the web statistics, showing total registered tax properties and collection progress. The mobile application simplifies field operations by categorizing outstanding taxes into clear statuses: unpaid, partially paid, or fully settled. Built with the diverse local community in mind, the app also features a dark mode to reduce eye strain and bilingual settings, allowing users to seamlessly toggle between English and Bahasa Indonesia. Beyond tax tracking, SIRAMA introduces a crucial administrative feature that streamlines civil registration for everyday citizens. Both the web portal and the mobile app include a dedicated document submission module (Adminduk). This allows residents to digitally upload essential administrative documents, such as formal photos and registration details, directly through their phones. Neighborhood leaders can then access a digital verification queue on the web dashboard to review, check, and approve these submissions with a single click. By eliminating the need for tedious physical paperwork and long trips to municipal offices, this feature makes local government highly accessible and inclusive. By bringing these advanced yet easy-to-use digital tools to Desa Taman, RCE East Java is transforming how rural communities interact with local government. SIRAMA turns complex administrative tasks into shared, educational experiences, helping residents build digital literacy and take charge of their local development. Moving forward, RCE East Java is excited to expand this digital model, proving that when communities are equipped with transparent, accessible technology, they can build a more self-reliant and sustainable future. The SIRAMA application is officially registered under the Directorate General of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia (No.EC002025175124).
April 2025 By: Drs. Sus Eko Zuhri Ernada., Grad. Dipl. IR.MA, Drs. Sus Eko Zuhri Ernada., Grad. Dipl. IR.MA, Honest Dody Molasy S.Sos, MA.,CIQaR., CIQnR.,CRP, Muhammad Safir Cahyo Utomo, Habib Bintang Hibatullah, Nissa Nurhaliza, Ady Firdaus Pratama, Mahisa Putra Surya
Creating Joyful Classrooms: RCE East Java Launches the GELITIK Program for Sustainable Education
Every child deserves an education that sparks joy, fosters creativity, and provides a safe space to grow. Unfortunately, many young learners face structural and social barriers that interrupt their educational journeys, ranging from classroom disengagement to early marriage. True regional sustainability cannot be achieved without addressing these vulnerabilities at their roots. Grounded in the core philosophy of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), RCE East Java recognizes that transforming classrooms into supportive, vibrant environments is essential for empowering future generations and building inclusive societies. To address these challenges directly, RCE East Java has pioneered an innovative initiative named the Joyful School Program through the Thematic Literacy and Education Movement, locally known as GELITIK (Gerakan Literasi dan Edukasi Tematik). This comprehensive two-year initiative is designed to fundamentally transform the educational climate across 22 middle schools in the Jember and Bondowoso regencies. By moving away from rigid, uninspiring teaching routines, the program aims to boost daily attendance, spark a genuine love for learning, and actively mitigate the social factors that drive high student dropout rates. As the leading institution and regional hub driving this initiative, RCE East Java is translating global sustainability values into local action. The GELITIK program models how localized education can act as a vehicle for lifelong learning and community empowerment. To achieve these systemic shifts, the initiative introduces three core innovations: the Sahabat Karib peer-to-peer mentoring network to tackle bullying and build a culture of mutual support, a dedicated student creative stage to celebrate individual talents, and a virtual Sister School partnership. This international exchange facilitates a vibrant dialogue on culture and school management between Indonesian and Australian educators and students, establishing cross-border collaboration that enriches local knowledge. Rather than treating classrooms as mere spaces for academic instruction, RCE East Java embeds key ESD principles directly into daily school life, cultivating responsible citizenship, emotional well-being, and social inclusion. By empowering young people to become active advocates within their own peer groups, the initiative fosters deep environmental and social responsibility. The positive ripple effects extend far beyond the classroom walls, building an integrated ecosystem where educators, parents, local communities, and regional education departments collaborate to champion the safety and development of every child. The long-term impact of the GELITIK initiative promises a profound institutional and social shift. By fostering healthier, more inclusive school environments, participating institutions will see marked improvements in student retention, gender equity awareness, and the overall psychological well-being of both learners and teachers. Looking ahead, RCE East Java remains deeply committed to advancing sustainable development through the transformative power of education.
October 2023 By: Bella Dewi Safitri, Bachtiar Nur Budiman, Frenix P, Alifia
Officially Launched, the 'SiPenTing' App Is Ready to Accelerate Stunting Prevention in Taman Village
BONDOWOSO – The digital technology-based stunting intervention program in Bondowoso Regency has finally reached its culmination. The University of Jember (Unej) Community Service Team officially launched the full implementation of the “SiPenTing” (Stunting Prevention System) mobile app in Taman Village, Grujugan Subdistrict. This step marks the digital platform’s full readiness for widespread use by the general public to detect and prevent stunting early on. This full-scale launch serves as tangible proof of Jember University’s commitment to providing ready-to use technological solutions to address regional health challenges. The primary focus of this implementation is to ensure that the SiPenTing app is easily and seamlessly accessible to the target population—specifically mothers, parents, and caregivers of toddlers in Taman Village. The SiPenTing app is designed as an integrated platform that provides ongoing educational services, interactive consultation features, and a credible health resource center on stunting prevention. The app is expected to break the cycle of information gaps that communities in remote rural areas have long faced. Using the devices in their hands, parents can now independently monitor their children’s growth and development in real time. Not only does SiPenTing serve as an educational tool for residents, but it also plays a strategic role in health data processing. All data generated from community use of the app will be collected and analyzed periodically by a team of experts. This data analysis process aims to measure the effectiveness of each feature within the app, particularly in raising public awareness. Furthermore, the results of the nutritional monitoring data analysis from the app will serve as a vital tool for policymakers to implement precise medical interventions. With accurate data, local governments and healthcare workers can expedite targeted health interventions to address stunting in the areas or families that need it most. With this full launch in Taman Village, SiPenTing is poised to become a driving force for digital health transformation to realize a future generation in Bondowoso that is free from stunting.
2024 By: M. Rayhan Hanif, Yani Dwi Rahayu, Hans Christian, Diki Angger AriantoLatest Publications
Berani Berubah Menjadi Remaja yang Lebih Percaya Diri dan Kreatif
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Honest Dody Molasy, Sus Eko Zuhri Ernanda, Linda Dwi Eriyanti, Nisrina Athirah, Afrizal Septian Agung Pratama, Nabillah Nursaveni, Nafisa Ramadhani Azizah, Deni Eka Saputra
Remaja Bahagia Sahabat Karib Terhindar dari NAPZA, HIV, AIDS dan Pernikahan Dini
Erwin Nur Rifah, Ph.D., Honest Dody Molasy, S. Sos., M.A., Dea Agnar Pradita, Dina Tsalist Wildana, S.H.I., LL.M.Join the Movement for Sustainability
We invite universities, researchers, NGOs, government agencies, and volunteers to collaborate on environmental and social projects across East Java.