Three international students studying at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) hailing from Libya—Nadia Mustafa Sulayman Shenghir, Marwa Abdulgader Abdulsalam Ashaiban, and Ahlaam Jarullah Ibrahim Alshoushan—served as speakers and trainers at an international community service activity held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in Karanganyar.

Initiated by the Doctoral Program in Economics (PDIE) at FEB UNS, the community engagement event takes on the topic of “Arabian Food Training: Culinary Innovation through Arabian Food Product Diversification for Mangkubumen Culinary MSMEs.”

Over twenty members of the Mangkubumen PKK (Family Welfare Program), led by Mientansih, participated in the event. Mientansih expressed gratitude to FEB UNS, particularly PDIE FEB UNS, for introducing the attendees to Libyan cuisine.

“Through this Libyan cooking demonstration, I hope the participants will gain as much knowledge as possible. They will see the process and results, and hopefully replicate it or even start selling it. We also have a cooking kitchen in the PKK unit, so we hope to exchange knowledge with the speakers. Thank you to the UNS students for their assistance,” said the 81-year-old Mientansih.

Dr. Dwi Prasetyani, S.E., M.Si., Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Affairs, thanked all participants for attending the agenda. Such community service activities are a routine endeavor for PDIE FEB, representing a collaboration between faculty members and students to benefit the community.

Prof. Dr. Rahmawati, M.Si., Ak., Head of the PDIE Program, stated that this activity served as a networking opportunity between FEB UNS faculty members and the Mangkubumen community. She noted that the event qualifies as international community service because it involved not only UNS team members but also international participants.

“This activity focuses on the development of culinary MSMEs, with Libyan student speakers and participants from the PKK group. It empowers women who were previously unaware of foreign cuisines and now have the opportunity to learn and potentially start side businesses,” she explained.

The community service involved students from undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. The outcomes of the event will be disseminated through YouTube videos, printed media, the FEB UNS website, and publications in community service journals.

Concluding the event, Dean of FEB UNS, Prof. Drs. Djoko Suhardjanto, M.Com.(Hons)., Ph.D., Ak., expressed gratitude to all attendees, including PKK members, leadership, FEB UNS lecturers, and students.

“I hope this activity introduces Libyan cuisine and cooking methods to a wider audience, and that participants enjoy the dishes. If they align with our culture, they might be incorporated into our cuisine. Thank you, Middle Eastern food is truly delicious,” he concluded.