The 2026 Universitas Sriwijaya (UNSRI) – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Equity Program presents an international collaboration focused on community service and empowerment through an activity entitled “Circular Economy-Based Waste Processing Transformation as an Instrument for Community Empowerment in Poverty Alleviation”. This activity was carried out in Sungsang IV Village, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, as a form of real implementation of cross country academic synergy in supporting sustainable development based on community empowerment. This service program is chaired by Prof. Dr. Bernadette Robiani, S.E., M.Sc. from Sriwijaya University with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doris Padmini Selvaratnam from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

This program aims to increase public awareness and capacity in waste management based on the circular economy concept, an approach that emphasizes the reuse of waste into economically valuable products. Through this approach, waste is no longer viewed simply as waste but as a resource that can be processed into creative, high value products to improve community well being.

The event began with an interactive discussion on the importance of sustainable waste management and the economic opportunities that recycling can generate. Participants then received practical training on processing household waste and plastic waste into various innovative products with market potential. Furthermore, the implementation team provided guidance on product marketing strategies and strengthening community institutions to ensure the program's sustainability.

The implementation of this activity involved lecturers and students from Sriwijaya University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, village government, community groups, KGS Waste Bank, and local MSMEs. The KGS Waste Bank resource persons involved in this activity included Welis Fatimah, S.Psi., Nurlina, and Sri Wahyu Wijayanti. In addition, this activity was also supported by a team of Sriwijaya University lecturers consisting of Dr. Yunisvita, S.E., M.Si., Dr. Mukhlis, S.E., M.Si., Dr. Abdul Bashir, S.E., M.Si., Dr. Kemas M. Husni Thamrin, S.E., M.M., Feny Marissa, S.E., M.Si., Deassy Apriani, S.E., M.Si., and Waldi Novi Yarsah, S.E., M.E. This cross country collaboration is expected to strengthen the transfer of knowledge, innovation, and experience in developing community empowerment models based on the environment and the creative economy.

Through this program, the residents of Sungsang IV Village are expected to develop new skills in waste management, create independent business opportunities, and increase family income. In addition to its economic impact, this activity also contributes to improving environmental quality by reducing waste volume and adopting more sustainable lifestyles.

The 2026 Equity Program activity is a manifestation of the commitment of Sriwijaya University and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially poverty alleviation, responsible consumption and production, and the development of global partnerships for sustainable development.