Student-Centered Innovation Project as University Social Responsibility (USR)

Abstract

Most university social responsibility (USR) literature and practice involves students as participants. However, students can also be initiators, participants and implementers of programs under USR. This study discusses the central role played by students in the USR project in Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan, or the Jodipan Colorful Village, by the Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, in Malang city, Indonesia. This project represents two innovations: (1) teaching innovation, where the lecturer becomes the center, and (2) the innovative project, where the student becomes the center. Under the student-centered USR project, students research the community, generate the idea, initiate and design the project, write proposals, connect the stakeholders and implement the project together with the community. By giving ‘space’ for student creativity rather than just involving them as participants, this project positioned students as the connector and center of the quadruple stakeholder collaboration between the university, business, government and community.