As a form of institutional commitment to addressing social issues, the Magister of Economics and Development Studies (MESP) Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia and the non-governmental organization PERMAI (Pertubuhan Masyarakat Indonesia), organized an international Community Engagement activity in Penang, Malaysia. The activity took the form of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) under the theme “Institutional Capacity Building, Empowerment, and Assistance for Migrant Workers in Malaysia.”

The international Community Engagement initiative aimed to identify challenges faced by PERMAI as a civil society organization providing assistance to migrant workers in Malaysia, as well as to examine the various issues experienced by Indonesian Migrant Workers themselves.

Through the FGD involving key stakeholders engaged in migrant worker assistance, the activity was expected to inform the formulation of a follow-up international Community Engagement program in the coming year. The planned program will focus on specific themes and roles related to the economic empowerment of migrant workers, both during their employment period in Malaysia and after their return to Indonesia.

The designed activities focused on financial planning assistance and basic business management. The program was conducted over two days, 6–7 July 2024, at the PERMAI Learning Centre in Bukit Jambul, Malaysia. The Community Engagement team was led by the Head of the MESP Study Program, Dr. Evi Gravitiani, S.E., M.Si., and included Prof. Dr. Izza Mafruhan, S.E., M.Si., Dr. Suryanto, S.E., M.Si., Sarjiyanto, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., and Dewi Ismoyowati, S.E., M.Ec.Dev.

On the first day, the team conducted an FGD with PERMAI administrators and representatives of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia. The outcomes of the discussion will serve as the basis for analysis and the preparation of an action plan for future Community Engagement programs, with topics and themes aligned with the academic expertise of MESP lecturers and students.

On the second day, the team carried out Community Engagement activities with children of Indonesian Migrant Workers who are under the care of PERMAI. One of the key sessions focused on learning motivation and the introduction of Indonesian cultural values, delivered by Prof. Izza Mafruhan and Dr. Suryanto.

Through this session, the Community Engagement team sought to encourage the children of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia to remain motivated in pursuing education and personal aspirations despite the limitations they face while living abroad. Dr. Suryanto also conveyed messages emphasizing the importance of maintaining Indonesian identity and values among the children.