NUS Students Boost Green Education in SMKN 7 Moni

RRI.CO.ID, Ende – Twenty-nine students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have launched a community service initiative in Ende Regency that combines environmental conservation with English education, aiming to deliver lasting benefits for local students and the community. The program demonstrates how international academic partnerships can strengthen sustainability, education, and tourism in eastern Indonesia.

The weeklong initiative is centered at SMK Negeri 7 Moni, where NUS students, accompanied by Professor Tan, will plant 100 trees and conduct English lessons for vocational students. Coordinated by Beata Maria Kurniawati Apu of Ambarukmo College of Tourism (STIPRAM) Yogyakarta, the project addresses two local priorities: improving environmental resilience and expanding students' access to practical language skills.

According to Beata, the program follows an experiential learning model similar to Indonesia's university community service program but places greater emphasis on measurable community impact. She noted that all expenses—including transportation, accommodation, meals, educational materials, and tree seedlings—are fully funded by the National University of Singapore, ensuring the initiative places no financial burden on the host community.

The tree-planting campaign, themed "Plant Together, Grow Together," is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, while English classes will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026. NUS students will use teaching materials brought from Singapore, providing local students with additional learning resources while encouraging cross-cultural exchange.

The delegation is also visiting several of Ende's cultural and natural attractions, including Bung Karno's historic exile house, Mount Kelimutu, Wolopaku, and the traditional village of Nggela. The visits are expected to promote Ende's tourism potential while strengthening cultural understanding between Indonesian and Singaporean participants.

Beata described the initiative as the first collaboration between STIPRAM Yogyakarta and NUS and expressed hope it would become a long-term partnership. She emphasized that success will not be measured solely by planting 100 trees but by ensuring they continue to grow and benefit future generations, while creating new opportunities for educational exchange, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism in Ende.