UPH Service Project

In December 2012, Pelita Harapan University held a service project at the PGRI 396 Middle School, Kelapa Dua – Tangerang, approximately two kilometers away from the university?s main campus. This visit was aimed to put into practice the ?Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi?, involving both students and lecturers alike. A range of activities that took place were a seminar on health issues, vocabulary competition – ?VocCom?, building sanitary facilities for students, restoration of volleyball field, and reforestation.

?What we are doing is based on a survey conducted in various places as well as on inputs coming from schools,? explains Youry Royke P. Timbuleng, Chairman of UPH Service Project committee. Three faculties were taking part in this service project according to their own area of expertise. They were Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Design and Planning.

The knowledge was shared according to the students? needs. Faculty of Nursing gave away tips on how to cope with the students? entering their puberty phase – the development from teenagers into adolescence. As for the students, they were told the hazard of smoking, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, along with the negative impacts of information technology, and how to choose healthy foods. This seminar was expected to equip the teachers in coping with teenage issues by adding depth to their knowledge and skills. ?We are holding a discussion with teachers on how to cooperate with parents in educating the students and transferring knowledge so that they not only possess intellectual prowess, but also holistic character that stress on attitude and good behaviors,? said Dr. Fransiska Maria S., Dra., S.Kp., M.Pd., Dean of Faculty of Nursing.

Faculty of Nursing gave some tips to the students.

The workshop was conducted in an interactive dialogue and was made easy with helpful properties such as posters and product samples. In the beginning, students were asked to share with others what they knew about the topics on discussion. Once the briefing was finished, UPH left posters and brochures for students, so that they can be able to differentiate types of narcotics drugs and their risks, and to tell healthy types of foods from the unhealthy ones. Thus they can be actions properly.   ?Our roles in the nursing field are simultaneously as a nurse and an educator. The education given is given not only to hone a future nurse?s skill and competency, but also to prepare them for the role of an educator. This is to reinforce a nursing graduate?s attribute as ?care professional provider?, in which a nurse does not merely

take care of a sick person, but, more than that, also be able to provide knowledge and ways of healthy living for any individuals, groups, families, and society.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Education held a competition on English vocabulary. Dr. Hananto, S.Pd., M.Pd., a member of the faculty, had invented computer software that aids learners of English language to memorize and apply the words in an easy and fun way. ?This method encourages my students to study English vocabulary independently, both its spelling as well as its meaning. Learning English has become easier and more enjoyable,? Dr Hananto explains. As for the Faculty of Design, Technique, and Planning, through this service project, they constructed sanitary facilities and restoration of a sport field.

The school?s headmaster, Engkus Kusnadi, S.Pd., welcomed this charity and felt that this event could benefit them in many ways; for example encourage students to live healthier lives, avoid smoking, and act politely. Proper sport facilities are useful in inspiring them to achieve higher and be more spirited.

?This is not the first time UPH students visit our school in a service project term; it first started in 2008. The many forms of help they provide us are numerous; they have been supplying us with seminars, giving us additional courses, and skill training. We are hopeful that the effort can contribute in improving the quality of education and lives of our students,? the schoolmaster concludes. (rh)