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Malang, Indonesia –Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Brawijaya (UB), together with academic partners from Malaysia, has reinforced its commitment to building digitally resilient communities through an international digital literacy workshop in Ngabab Village, Pujon District, Malang Regency. The programme brought together educators, village officials, and community representatives to explore practical strategies for navigating the opportunities and challenges of today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Held on 22 July 2026 at the Ngabab Village Office, the workshop welcomed 50 participants, including village officials, school principals, kindergarten and primary school teachers, and members of the local community. The activity formed part of the implementation of FISIP UB's international partnership with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Universiti Malaya (UM) through the FISIP Bakti Desa International Community Engagement Programme.

The international community engagement initiative was led by Dr. Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim of Universiti Malaya, reflecting the University's commitment to fostering cross-border academic collaboration that creates meaningful social impact while strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions and local communities. The workshop featured Dr. Ima Liana Esa from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Dr. Nur Izzati Aziz, and Dr. Nur Hannan Mohd Jaafar from Universiti Malaya (UM). The speakers discussed the growing importance of digital literacy in helping communities critically evaluate online information, promote responsible digital communication, and prepare younger generations for an increasingly interconnected society.

"Digital literacy is no longer an optional skill it is a fundamental competency for every community. Beyond knowing how to use digital technology, people need the ability to evaluate information critically, communicate responsibly, and adapt confidently to continuous technological change," said Dr. Ima Liana Esa.

Dr. Nur Izzati Aziz added that schools and local communities play complementary roles in fostering responsible digital behaviour. "Developing digitally responsible communities begins with collaboration between educators, families, and local institutions. Digital literacy empowers citizens not only to access information but also to contribute positively to society while protecting themselves from misinformation and online risks," she said on behalf of the Malaysian academic team.

According to Novy Setia Yunas, Field Supervisor of the FISIP Bakti Desa Programme and Expert Staff to the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FISIP UB, the programme demonstrates how international partnerships can generate mutual learning while responding to the real needs of local communities. "This collaboration represents more than academic cooperation between Indonesian and Malaysian universities. It serves as a platform for cultural immersion where academics and students learn directly from local communities while sharing knowledge and global perspectives. At the same time, digital literacy has become an essential foundation for communities like Ngabab to strengthen their resilience and maximise local opportunities in tourism, agriculture, education, and the creative economy."

Yunas noted that Ngabab and the wider Pujon area possess significant potential as rural tourism destinations, supported by community-based enterprises and cultural attractions such as the Dworowati Lantern Festival. Strengthening digital literacy, he explained, enables local communities to communicate these unique assets more effectively, expand digital engagement, and participate more confidently in the digital economy while remaining resilient against misinformation and other online challenges.

The programme also provided an immersive intercultural learning experience for 11 students from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universiti Malaya, who joined Universitas Brawijaya students in working with local communities across Ngabab, Ngroto and Pandesari villages. Through direct engagement with village life, participants gained valuable insights into Indonesia's community development practices while fostering cross cultural understanding and long-term academic collaboration.

The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Universitas Brawijaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and Universiti Malaya to advancing sustainable community development through international partnership. By integrating digital literacy, intercultural exchange, and community engagement, the programme contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).