The Societal Impact unit of SBM ITB carried out a community engagement program in Cirata Village, West Bandung Regency, through a digital marketing training held on August 4, 2025. The program was led by Prof. Wawan Dhewanto, together with Tiffany Ar Rahim and Syifa Farhatunnisa El-Baehaqi, who have been actively supporting Cirata as one of SBM ITB’s development partner villages. The training aimed to strengthen the understanding and skills of local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in utilizing digital tools for product promotion, content creation, and online business management. This initiative was designed based on findings from a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which indicated that necessity-driven MSMEs particularly require digital marketing literacy as a key factor to scale up their businesses.
The session began with an introductory presentation by Prof. Wawan Dhewanto, who explained the fundamentals of digital marketing and the importance of building an online presence for MSMEs. He emphasized that digitalization opens new opportunities for small businesses to reach wider markets at a relatively low cost. “We hope that MSMEs in Cirata can utilize digital tools not only for temporary promotions but also to build a strong and sustainable online presence,” he stated.
The training continued with a practical session led by Natissa Ar Rahmah and Syifa Farhatunnisa El-Baehaqi. During this session, participants learned hands-on techniques such as photographing their products, writing captions, optimizing WhatsApp Business profiles, and using Google Maps to increase online visibility. Through step-by-step guidance, participants were able to understand how simple digital branding efforts can significantly improve their outreach.
Enthusiasm was evident throughout the training. Many MSME owners who were initially unfamiliar with digital platforms became more confident after practicing directly with their phones. One participant shared their experience, saying, “I’m really grateful for this program because it gave us new insights and a chance to upgrade our skills as sellers, so we can keep up with the latest trends and start selling through social media.” The community engagement program received positive feedback from village officials and MSME participants. Local residents expressed hope that similar activities will continue, enabling Cirata’s MSMEs to become more competitive in today’s digital landscape. Through its Societal Impact initiatives, SBM ITB remains committed to supporting partner villages and empowering MSMEs to grow more adaptively, independently, and sustainably.
