Institut Teknologi Bandung

DESHANESHA was created by Rulli Wibowo, S.T., Idris, A.Md., Housny M., S.T., Suyanto, A.Md., Ali Hasan Asyari, S.Kom., Deny Willy Junaidy, Ph.D., and Ferdyansyah Poernama, A.Md. Its development started in December 2021, with the core idea of bridging the communication between village chiefs across Indonesia and professors in ITB.

“ITB is happy to help tackle many issues found in rural areas. Unfortunately, the lack of a medium to connect these villages with ITB hinders the problem from being solved. Thus, To accelerate the resolution of rural problems, we made a digital platform to accelerate the discussion between the two parties. Through this application, both can agree and commit to allocating their time, funding, and personage with one another via community service," Deny Willy, one of DESANESHA’s developers, explained.

Deny noticed that most villages in Indonesia need a communication platform to link them with external parties. Such connection is crucial, especially in rural areas, for assistance or support. ITB itself has 1,350 researchers and organizes community services known for exploring multitudes of study fields and technologies. However, information like the mapping of the cases needs to be presented so that these researchers can extend a helping hand to the villages. Therefore, DESANESHA may hopefully become the media and support for seeking assistance from the experts.

DESANESHA includes many features listed as the following:
1) Provide data as a basis for searching the case's study field and the relevant ITB researcher to be assigned
2) Explore ITB’s community service across Indonesia
3) Deliver the required data for implementing science and technology in villages
4) Facilitate discussion between ITB professors and village chiefs regarding the issues faced by the residents

As leaders, village chiefs need to synergize with many parties. One of the most common problems found in villages is the Village Development Index, which can improve the social security, economy, and ecology of the regions. According to RP JMN 2020-2024, the index has become a national priority for 74,953 villages, 271 rural areas, 62 disadvantaged regions, and 152 transmigration areas.

Through DESANESHA, professors from ITB can consult with the village chief about the issues faced in the village. Together, they can arrange community services that are funded from their shares.

DESANESHA is part of ITB's mission in progressing both education and the community. It welcomes the implementation of technology, science, design, business model, policy, infrastructure, artwork, humanities, and disaster mitigation in solving problems. If it is deemed effective, the application may be further developed as a joint community service platform for all universities in Indonesia.

Deny added that DESANESHA’s development has been a smooth-sailing journey. With the support and socialization from ITB, the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs, its performance can be enhanced. He also mentioned that it is available in Google Play Store and Apple App Store. “We will continue promoting DESANESHA to both professors and village chiefs via social media, visitations, and roadshows to the Ministry of Villages."

Hoping that it can benefit everyone, Deny wished DESANESHA would extend its societal magnitude and impact. From its influence on villages in Indonesia, DESANESHA has proven to be able to change the community service landscape in universities.

The dissemination of DESANESHA with village representatives can be viewed through this link.

Reporter: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)
Translator: Firzana Aisya (Bioengineering, 2021)