UMN Supports Young People’s Environmental Awareness Through ASRI Collaboration

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL: ASRI Roadshow Visits SMAN 3 Yogyakarta. (Source: Tribun News Jogja)

Yogyakarta, July 30, 2025 — Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) reaffirms its commitment to promoting sustainability through active participation in the ASRI Roadshow event at SMAN 3 Yogyakarta. This program is part of the Indonesian Sustainable Schools Academy (Akademi Sekolah Lestari Indonesia/ASRI), a collaborative initiative launched by Kompas Gramedia to foster awareness and tangible action among the younger generation regarding environmental issues and sustainability.

Various stakeholders from the education and environmental sectors attended the event. Those present to provide support included the Principal of SMAN 3 Yogyakarta, Drs. Suhirno, M.B.A.; the Head of the Education, Youth, and Sports Office, Budi Santosa Asrori, S.E., M.Si.; the Head of the Yogyakarta City Secondary Education Office, Maryono, S.Pd., M.Pd.; and the Head of the Pollution and Environmental Damage Control Division of the DIY Environmental Agency, Sjamsu Agung Widjaja, S.E., M.M. 

From the private sector and higher education, the Head of the Sustainability Office at Kompas Gramedia, Arki Sudito, and Maria Advenita Gita Elmada, M.Si., as the Center for Sustainability Manager from Multimedia Nusantara University, were also present. Teachers and students from various schools in Yogyakarta also attended the event.

An interactive talk show was held during the event featuring inspiring speakers from diverse backgrounds. Fauzan Munib, Co-Founder of Daur Resik, shared his story about how community-based recycling initiatives can serve as local solutions to waste management issues. Pauline Fula, Founder of Palka Kreatif, emphasized the importance of environmentally friendly products rooted in local wisdom. 

Meanwhile, Khanif Irsyad, a young farmer and author of the book From Campus to Farm, shared his reflections on the transition from the academic world to sustainable agricultural practices. The three speakers successfully inspired students and teachers to view sustainability issues not only as a global discourse but also as an opportunity for real action at the community level.

UMN had the opportunity to share campus sustainability practices through a session led by Maria Advenita Gita Elmada. In this session, UMN outlined how higher education institutions can catalyze social change by integrating sustainability principles into education, research, and community service. Through transformative education approaches and cross-sector partnerships, UMN aims to produce academically competent graduates who are aware of their social and environmental responsibilities. 

“We believe that change begins in the classroom. Education should shape ways of thinking and living that are more responsible toward the environment,” Maria stated in her presentation. She added that campuses are not only places for learning but also concrete spaces for practicing sustainability for students and the community.

UMN’s participation in this program is also marked by a strategic partnership with PT Digital Inisiatif through the ASRI program. One concrete form of this collaboration is the provision of scholarships for ASRI winners who continue their studies at UMN, with program placements aligned with each prospective student’s interests. These scholarships are available across cohorts and form part of UMN’s commitment to supporting sustainable education.

During the activity, students received educational materials and were able to explore them further in online courses developed on the Lestari Academy platform. The materials covered an introduction to environmental crises and climate change, an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the importance of individual behavioral change, and collective actions that can be taken in schools and communities. 

This initiative directly contributes to achieving several SDGs, including SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, SDG 13 on climate action, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals.

Through its involvement in ASRI, UMN not only expands its collaboration reach but also strengthens its strategic role as a higher education institution, actively shaping environmentally conscious young generations that are ready to tackle future challenges sustainably.

By Sustainability Center UMN

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara.