JEMBER – Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) is strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop the Argopuro Slopes sustainably. The initiative connects seven springs, seven villages, and one area within an integrated ecosystem development model.

Polije Vice Director IV for Cooperation Agung Wahyono, Ph.D., attended the coordination meeting. He joined the Cooperation Team and the Community Service Assisted Village Team to align stakeholder roles.

The development model applies three collaboration stages: Triple Helix, Quadruple Helix, and Penta Helix. These approaches involve universities, communities, village governments, businesses, and media organizations.

Each stakeholder has a specific role in the development process. Universities contribute research and innovation, while village governments strengthen local policies. Communities protect the environment, businesses develop small enterprises, and media support promotion and public education.

The collaboration targets several strategic programs. These include the Sustainable Sumber Tunjung Festival, tourism village development, spring conservation, local economic growth, and research-based innovation.

Agung Wahyono emphasized that collaboration is essential to sustainable regional development. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening local potential.

“Collaboration is the key to achieving sustainable development that builds on local strengths,” Agung said.

He reaffirmed Polije's commitment to supporting communities through long-term partnerships. The institution aims to assist villages through research, innovation, and capacity building.

“Polije does not want to be an institution that simply comes and goes. Instead, we aim to become a long-term partner supporting villages through research, innovation, and capacity building,” he explained.

Agung added that developing village potential requires coordinated efforts from various stakeholders. Therefore, collaboration must follow a structured and measurable approach.

“Multi-stakeholder collaboration is important to ensure that every village's potential can be developed in a structured and measurable way,” he added.

Following the meeting, Polije's Cooperation Team and Assisted Village Team prepared several follow-up initiatives. These include developing flagship products, strengthening small businesses, and building partnerships with businesses and media organizations.

Through the Penta Helix model, Polije aims to develop the Argopuro Slopes into a prosperous and sustainable area. This collaboration also positions local communities as key drivers of regional development.