Mataram, University of Mataram – As part of its 63rd anniversary celebrations, the University of Mataram (Unram) held a National Creative Economy Movement (GEKRAFS) event for West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Monday (24/11). Held at the Unram Dome, this event was organised to encourage student creativity, broaden knowledge of the creative industry, and strengthen the ecosystem of young filmmakers on campus.

GEKRAFS NTB presented a series of educational activities, ranging from a public lecture by Ronal Sunandar Surapradja, S.Sos., M.Ikom., who presented a lecture titled “Digital Literacy: Ethics of AI Use in Higher Education”, to a talk show with national film director Hilman Mutasi and Chairman of the Bale Sineas Mentaram (Basment) Community, Danang Jatmiko. The event also included a screening of the local film “Blue Poetry”.

In his speech, the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Systems at Unram, Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc. (Eng.), Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the organisation of this event and emphasised the importance of utilising learning opportunities outside the classroom. He hoped that GEKRAFS activities could widen students’ insights and provide new and useful experiences.

“Hopefully, students will gain knowledge from this activity. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from the speakers. Hopefully, this activity will benefit us all, especially the students,” he said.

In addition, the Chair of the GEKRAFS NTB Regional Working Committee, Yeyen Seprian Rachmat, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between Unram and GEKRAFS in strengthening the creative ecosystem in the region. He emphasised that campuses are the most ideal spaces for nurturing the embryo of the creative economy through training, mentoring, and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship among the younger generation.

Unram and the NTB GEKRAFS Regional Executive Board also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the scope of the three pillars of higher education. Furthermore, the inauguration of the campus GEKRAFS and the launch of the Creativepreneur Academy were also held during this event.