The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Chapter at Universitas Indonesia (UI) held its AIChE on Charity (AoC) event, part of the annual AIChE Indonesia Series (AISeries) 2024. The two-day event, themed “One Step Save the Planet,” aimed to create a positive impact on the community and the environment.
AIChE on Charity began with a pre-event on July 29, 2024, at Tebet Eco Park, Jakarta. In this activity, 24 volunteers from AIChE UI SC collaborated with the NGO Trash Hero Jakarta for a street cleanup. This initiative successfully collected 9 kg of waste from the park area while educating over 15 residents about the importance of maintaining cleanliness and providing proper education for children.
The following day, the main AIChE on Charity event took place in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Tangerang. Ketapang Urban Aquaculture was chosen as the venue due to its high eco-tourism potential but also its environmental and economic challenges. The event aimed to contribute to nature conservation efforts and improve the well-being of the local community.
At this location, 29 volunteers participated in conservation activities, including planting 200 mangrove seedlings with the assistance of residents. Additionally, they released horseshoe crabs as a symbol of ecosystem balance. Horseshoe crabs are an endangered species and their presence indicates a healthy marine ecosystem. AIChE UI SC volunteers also conducted educational activities related to seawater through science experiments with local children.
Chiara, Project Officer for AISeries 2024, explained that the event represents students’ role as agents of change in the community. “As students, it is our responsibility to apply the knowledge we have gained by becoming agents of change and social drivers. Through AIChE on Charity, we hope to make a direct impact on the community in terms of economy, education, and environment,” she said.
Ketapang Urban Aquaculture, where the main activities took place, is an eco-tourism project managed by PT Mitra Kerta Raharja (MKR) with support from the Tangerang Regency Government. The project aims to address flooding issues, build a healthy ecosystem, and create new green spaces in the area. The mangrove planting and horseshoe crab release by AIChE UI SC are part of a joint effort to preserve the environment in this region.
During the event, AIChE UI SC also raised a donation of IDR 3,482,500, which was distributed to 70 children in the form of school supplies and snacks. Additionally, the volunteers had the opportunity to discuss daily challenges with residents, particularly related to waste and flooding.
In a separate statement, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering UI, Prof. Ir. Mahmud Sudibandriyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the event. “AIChE on Charity has demonstrated that with good collaboration between students, NGOs, and the government, positive outcomes can be achieved. I hope AIChE UI SC will continue this positive tradition in the coming years and inspire more students to engage in sustainable social and environmental activities,” he said.
Started in 2022, AISeries is the largest program of AIChE UI SC. AISeries (AIChE Indonesia Series) is an annual program designed to enhance the presence of AIChE UI SC and spread its values to fellow students and the Indonesian community. AISeries serves as a gateway for students to explore the field of process engineering while contributing to solving global issues. Through a variety of events, AISeries not only facilitates the development of participants’ technical and professional skills but also promotes environmental awareness and social responsibility.
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Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia