Social Philanthropic Action (SOPHIA) is a community service program organized by the External Department of the Biomedical Engineering Student Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Teknik Biomedis, HMTB). In 2024, SOPHIA was carried out with a village development concept in Keputih Tegal Baru RT 007, also known as “KEMVIL,” a special name given to the village developed by SOPHIA. Before beginning the village development activities, SOPHIA initiated their actions through the Sahur on the Road (SOTR) and Bagi-Bagi Takjil (BBT) programs, which took place during Ramadan in Surabaya on March 30, 2024, and April 1, 2024. The village development activities officially began on May 5, 2024, and are ongoing every weekend, continuing until September 28, 2024.
SOPHIA focuses on two main areas of community service: education and health/environmental programs. In the education sector, SOPHIA aims to facilitate both academic and social development for the community in the target village. The education program includes fun learning activities with subjects related to nature, basic arithmetic, digital literacy, and health. Additionally, the health and environmental program includes free medical check-ups, decorating the kampung, recycling used cooking oil, and nutritious cooking workshops. SOPHIA is part of Universitas Airlangga’s Integrated Service Unit (UNIT LAYANAN TERPADU), supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequality), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
SOPHIA’s community service targets marginalized environments that have never been visited by students, communities, or organizations for similar activities. These marginalized environments are social groups that are excluded from societal structures in terms of economy, education, and culture. The village developed by SOPHIA is often referred to as a “scavenger village” and is located near a waste disposal area. Therefore, SOPHIA focuses on three key areas: environment, health, and education. These focus areas align with SDG goals 3, 4, 10, and 12. SOPHIA aims to increase knowledge and awareness among children in the village, help facilitate better health practices, and conduct training to promote environmental cleanliness. Through these initial efforts, SOPHIA hopes to make a lasting positive impact in the future.
Biomedical Engineering is a multidisciplinary program that combines medical knowledge with technology, which is why SOPHIA implements this knowledge through its programs in education, health, and the environment. In terms of health, SOPHIA works together to maintain the health of the KEMVIL community through preventive measures, such as offering free health check-ups in partnership with the Airlangga Help and Promotion Center (AHPC) and the Keputih Public Health Center medical staff. Additionally, SOPHIA has conducted dental check-ups for KEMVIL residents, collaborating with the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Airlangga and providing dental kits sponsored by the Amira Bilqis Community. SOPHIA also aims to fulfill the higher education dharma by extending its efforts in the field of education. SOPHIA provides lessons to children aged 7-12 years in KEMVIL using the fun-learning method. SOPHIA incorporates biomedical principles into the learning process by choosing a health-related theme. In this session, students introduce health tools such as stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, and others to the children, helping them learn how to care for their bodies. This activity not only educates the children but also introduces them to tools relevant to the biomedical engineering field.
SOPHIA has collaborated with several external parties throughout its implementation from May to September, providing services and materials. For instance, the free health and dental check-ups are made possible through partnerships with the Keputih Public Health Center, AHPC, SOBY (Sobat Happy & Healthy), and dental students from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Airlangga. Material collaborations include support from organizations like Amira Bilqis, Turnedin.id, and Trenzfurniture.
At HMTB, the success of SOPHIA is measured through both quantitative and qualitative assessments. The quantitative assessment involves evaluating the number of meetings and activities held according to the established indicators. The qualitative assessment focuses on the involvement of Biomedical Engineering students in social actions, including teaching and social activities. This aligns with SDG goals 4 (Quality Education for All), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production in Communities). SOPHIA supports these goals through its teaching and environmental health programs.
SOPHIA 2024 marks the beginning of a village development initiative, and there are several challenges faced by the team. One of the major challenges is the lack of previous references or examples. Additionally, there is the challenge of creating programs that appeal to local residents and aligning the committee’s schedule with the available time of the community. To overcome these challenges, SOPHIA emphasizes its vision of being a change agent that inspires positive contributions to society. It also supports the skill development of committee members, particularly in effective communication. All activities are discussed with the local residents to ensure they align with their needs and schedules, as the primary goal is to serve the KEMVIL community.
HMTB hopes that SOPHIA continues to grow and expand, providing education, health services, and environmental cleanliness initiatives to other marginalized communities. In support of SDG goals 3, 4, 10, and 12, the association strives to ensure that SOPHIA’s program reaches a wider audience, raising awareness about the inequalities, lack of environmental awareness, and the importance of education that still exist in Surabaya. SOPHIA aims to implement the Tri Dharma of higher education and contribute to the achievement of these SDG goals.
