Promoting Critical Thinking and Sustainable Practices Through the Upcycle Impact Workshop

Jakarta, 20 July 2026 – As waste management remains a challenge in many densely populated areas of Jakarta, environmental education and responsible consumption are becoming increasingly important for younger generations. Huykea Sun, a Cambodian Business Management and Marketing student, joined teammates from the Philippines, Sudan, and Madagascar to deliver an Upcycle Impact Workshop for 35 students at SMPN 111 Jakarta.

This environmental education workshop was developed as part of the Ambassadorship Project, an initiative led by recipients of the BINUS World-Class Scholarship to strengthen their engagement and contribution to local communities. With the support of BINUS student volunteers and iBuddy+, Huykea and his team led a two-hour workshop that encouraged students to see the potential in everyday waste materials. Through team discussions, product sketching, and presentations, participants developed ideas ranging from bottle planters to reusable bags and repurposed fish tanks.

Their enthusiasm throughout the process became one of the most rewarding aspects of the project for Huykea.

“I have taken part in several Ambassadorship Projects, but this one stood out because the participants were engaged from beginning to end. Watching them discuss their ideas, creating designs, and confidently presenting their work showed me that they were learning while having fun. I especially appreciated the commitment of our international team, iBuddy+, and volunteers, who contributed throughout the planning and implementation process. The project was a valuable reminder that working together can create meaningful experiences and positive change in the community,” shared Huykea, the project leader.

For students aged 13 to 16, the workshop introduced circular-economy thinking that will help them develop skills that are useful in school and everyday life. For example, developing solutions encouraged critical and constructive thinking, while pitching their designs helped them communicate clearly and speak with greater confidence.

(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)

BINUS student volunteers supported the workshop by acting as communication bridges between the international team and the participants. They clarified instructions, encouraged questions, facilitated discussions, and helped every student participate actively.

“The project was very fun, and I had a lot of great memories of working with the team. The pre-event tasks were done effectively and efficiently. The main team members really helped us through it and made sure that everything was well covered. D-day was very fun and well-maintained, the students were so fun to be around, and the teachers were also very cooperative. After all, the project was a success!” said Bulan G. Khairani, a Marketing Communication student at BINUS University who joined as a volunteer.

(Photo Editor: Mufti Al-Warits & Andi D. Ahnafandra)

With support from the organizers and volunteers, the school students could focus on exploring their creativity and expressing their ideas. Meanwhile, BINUS international students gained practical experience in leading a community project, coordinating activities, and adapting environmental topics for younger learners, while the student volunteers strengthened their communication, teamwork, and facilitation skills.

Through this shared learning experience, the upcycle Impact Workshop encouraged participants to approach environmental issues with a constructive mindset by combining creativity, leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration to develop practical and sustainable solutions.

Author: Mita Adhisti | Editor: Debby Sonita Lubis