UNNES GIAT International is a premier community service initiative by Semarang State University, deploying students to countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia for academic collaboration and community development projects. The program’s mission is to create a global impact from Indonesia, with a focus on educational, social, and cultural activities.
The most recent major cycle of the program was hosted at the UPSI campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia, running from 28 July to 22 August 2025. Participants for this cycle typically involved a cohort of approximately 12 selected students who underwent a rigorous selection process to ensure the highest quality of engagement.
NEWS COVERAGE
UNNES GIAT ANTARABANGSA 2025 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ‘KELULUT TO COMMUNITY’ PROGRAM AT UPSI
TANJONG MALIM – GIAT Antarabangsa is a community service program organized by Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) that involves students in various activities abroad to broaden their knowledge and experience. This year, the program was held at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia, with the participation of 12 students from various faculties at UNNES.
The UNNES students had the opportunity to participate in the Kelulut to Community program, guided by Associate Professor Dr. Kamarul Ismail from the Department of Geography and Environment, Faculty of Human Sciences (FSK), UPSI, on 11 August 2025. UPSI is the only university that offers special course credits related to kelulut honey, where students are required to take three courses related to kelulut honey throughout their eight semesters of study.
Among the participants were Ilyas Qodli Zaka Alfaruq and Muhammad Ferdiansyah Hidayat (Faculty of Sports Science), Khalisha Nasywa Permana (Faculty of Law), Talitha Febiola and Ahmad Efendi Yusuf (Faculty of Languages and Arts), Angga Dwi Ardianto and Mauren Aqila Zahra (Faculty of Economics and Business), Thouf Salsabila and Ghisya Sauqina Rosyada (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences), Alvina Nur Fitriyani (Faculty of Education and Psychology), Agung Wibowo (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and Bilqis Cyrila Aisy Qonaah (Faculty of Engineering).
The activities began with an information session on kelulut honey, covering the differences between regular bee honey and kelulut honey, as well as the types of kelulut bees. An interesting fact shared was that kelulut bees do not sting, and not all kelulut species produce honey due to their small size and slower honey production process compared to regular bees.
In addition to the theoretical session, the participants also underwent practical training in groups by building kelulut traps. They were divided into three groups to construct and install the traps on tree trunks within the UPSI campus area. Throughout the practical session, the students demonstrated high enthusiasm and meticulousness to ensure the traps functioned properly. The activity concluded with a visit to several kelulut nests around the campus, which gave participants the opportunity to observe the habitat and management of kelulut colonies up close.
The Head of the GIAT Antarabangsa Group at UPSI, Ilyas Qodli Zaka Alfaruq, stated, “The learning activity about kelulut honey was truly extraordinary. I gained new knowledge about how to make kelulut traps, placement techniques, and even methods to monetize kelulut honey production. This experience opened my mind to the fact that kelulut beekeeping is highly beneficial economically, with a high return on investment.”
This activity also highlighted the strong spirit of cooperation and unity among the students, making the trap installation process effective and efficient. Overall, the program enriched the students’ understanding of kelulut bee biology and the importance of bees’ role in maintaining ecosystem balance.