ENG
INA
Faculty of Humanities’ Partner Village Strengthens Digital Language and Cultural Literacy for the Youth of Baler Bale Gung, Jembrana
Jembrana, August 8, 2026 – The Faculty of Humanities Udayana University has shown its commitment to implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through a Community Service (PKM) activity titled “Strengthening Language and Cultural Literacy through the Utilization of Digital Cultural Products in the Baler Bale Agung Village Community, Jembrana Regency” held on Saturday at the Centra Tenun in Baler Bale Agung Village, Jembrana Regency. The event, chaired by Prof. Dr. I Made Netra, S.S., M.Hum., was attended by approximately 30 participants from the Yowana (Sekehe Teruna) youth group of Baler Bale Agung Village, coordinated by Gede Prawira Bhujangga W. In addition, the event was also attended by the Head of Baler Bale Agung Village, Ida Bagus Gede Ananda Kusuma, S.IP., M.AP., the Chair of the Jembrana Regency Apindo Branch, I Gede Agus Sanjaya, S.E., S.H., M.M., CME, village officials and local community leaders.
The implementation of this activity has strategic significance because the Baler Bale Agung Village is a partner village of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Udayana University. As a partner village, various educational, research, and community service programs are continuously developed as a form of partnership between the university and the community to support the preservation of Balinese language, literature, and culture. The PKM Team Leader, Prof. Dr. I Made Netra, S.S., M.Hum., explained that advancements in information technology should be utilized as a medium to strengthen the nation’s cultural identity. According to him, digital transformation opens up immense opportunities to document the rich diversity of local cultures so that they can be passed down to future generations. “The preservation of language and culture cannot rely solely on oral transmission; it must also be supported by high-quality digital documentation and publications. The younger generation plays a vital role as creators of cultural content capable of introducing regional identities to both national and international audiences,” stated Prof. Netra.
In his remarks, the Village Head of Baler Bale Agung, Ida Bagus Gede Ananda Kusuma, S.IP., M.AP. expressed his appreciation for the consistent support provided by the Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University in assisting the Baler Bale Agung community through various academic and community empowerment activities. “We would like to thank the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Udayana University for continuing to designate Baler Bale Agung as a partner village. Programs like these provide tangible benefits to the community, particularly the younger generation, enabling them to utilize digital technology to both preserve and introduce the richness of local culture to the wider public,” he said.
The series of activities began with a presentation on strengthening language literacy by Dr. Ni Ketut Sri Rahayuni, S.S., M.Hum. In her presentation, Rahayuni explained that language literacy is not only related to the ability to read and write, but also to the ability to understand, use, and preserve language as part of a community’s cultural identity. According to her, local languages are a cultural heritage that must be continuously preserved to ensure they remain vibrant amid technological advancements and the tide of globalization. Then, a presentation on strengthening cultural literacy was delivered by Dr. Drs. I Wayan Suardiana, M.Hum. Suardiana emphasized that cultural literacy is the ability to understand values, traditions, customs, arts, and local wisdom as integral parts of a nation’s character. In his opinion, the use of digital media is one effective strategy for introducing local culture to the younger generation without losing its authentic values. In addition to the lectures, participants also received an introduction to various forms of digital cultural products, techniques for finding credible sources of cultural information, digital ethics, copyright protection for cultural works, and strategies for promoting culture through various digital media platforms.
The event then continued with a workshop session that gave participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in creating digital cultural content. With guidance from a team of faculty members and students, participants learned to develop concepts for short videos, digital posters, social media content, and even podcast scripts that highlight the cultural potential of the Baler Bale Agung neighborhood, including local traditions, woven crafts, the local language, and various other forms of local wisdom. The training atmosphere was highly interactive. Participants actively discussed how to present cultural information in a way that appeals to the younger generation while maintaining the accuracy of the cultural information conveyed. Hands-on guidance helped participants understand the digital content production process, from brainstorming ideas and scriptwriting to filming and publishing techniques via social media. The presence of the Chair of the Jembrana Regency Apindo Branch further strengthened the synergy between the village government, universities, and business leaders in preserving local culture. This collaboration is expected to foster the emergence of various digital-based cultural preservation innovations that remain grounded in the traditional values and customs of the Balinese people.
Through this activity, participants are expected to gain a better understanding of the importance of linguistic and cultural literacy, as well as acquire basic skills in utilizing digital technology as a medium for documenting, educating about, and promoting local culture. The outcomes of the activity include increased knowledge and skills among participants, the creation of examples of digital cultural products, documentation of the activity, publications in mass media and social media, the writing of scientific articles on community service, and the strengthening of cooperation between the Faculty of Humanities Udayana University and the Baler Bale Agung Village Administration. As a village under the guidance of the Faculty of Humanities Udayana University, the Baler Bale Agung Village is expected to continue serving as a center for the development of various community empowerment programs based on language, literature, culture, and digital technology. The synergy that has been established between the university, the village government, the traditional village, and the community serves as a vital asset in preserving local cultural identity while building a community that is adaptable to the changing times without losing its sense of self.
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY