Invited Temajuk’s People to Master English for Tourism Using VR and AI in ICCS Program
The ICCS program in Temajuk, Kalimantan Barat, is a global collaboration in community service, initiated by Telkom University. It is supported by academic partners such as Poltesa (Politeknik Negeri Sambas), UPB (Universitas Panca Bakti), i-CATS University in Malaysia, and the industry partner PT Telkom Indonesia.
On August 13, 2024, the opening ceremony of the International Collaborative Community Service (ICCS) in Temajuk Village, West Kalimantan, was held with great enthusiasm at the Temajuk Village Office. The event began with a speech by Dr. Moh. Deni Akbar, Manager of the International Class Academic Office at Telkom University and the initiator of the ICCS program. In his address, he highlighted the significance of this program as a platform for international collaboration, aimed at empowering border communities through education, technology, and tourism.
Representing i-CATS University College Malaysia, Mr. Haikal also delivered a warm speech, emphasizing the importance of cross-country cooperation in efforts to improve the quality of life for local communities. He expressed his gratitude for the commitment of the four institutions involved in making the program a success and his hope that it would bring substantial benefits to the people of Temajuk.
Mr. Faisal, the Secretary of Temajuk Village, also gave remarks on behalf of the Village Head. In his speech, he expressed deep appreciation for the attention and assistance provided by the four universities to their village. “We hope this activity will have a positive impact on the people of Temajuk, especially in terms of improving skills and knowledge. May this collaboration continue in the future,” Mr. Faisal stated.
The first workshop session about Mastering English for Tourism, was led by Politeknik Negeri Sambas (POLTESA) representative. The workshop aimed to improve the english language skills for the villagers to support the growth of local tourism.
Following this, Mr. Fathah Noor Prawita, introduced Virtual Reality (VR) technology to the community focused on utilizing VR for interactive English learning. To support this initiative, Telkom University’s International Class donated 40 VR devices to Temajuk Village as part of the community service program.
Additionally, Mr. Fat’hah’s team developed an AI-powered Android application specifically designed for practicing English using VR devices. This app allows villagers to engage in simulated conversations and common scenarios in the tourism industry. After the training session, villagers were given the opportunity to take home the VR devices for three days to practice the material.
At the end of the usage period, villagers will be asked to provide feedback on their experiences with the VR devices. The feedback will be used to improve the next training session, scheduled to take place three days later, ensuring that the material is both beneficial and easy for the community to understand.
With these innovations, it is hoped that the people of Temajuk will become more confident in communicating with foreign tourists and able to further develop the village’s tourism potential. The ICCS program stands as a testament to the commitment of Telkom University and its partner institutions to contribute to community advancement through international collaboration and cutting-edge technology.
