Dozens of Papuan Youths Join Fiberglass Shipbuilding Workshop to Increase Economic Empowerment

SURABAYA (6 June 2022) – The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya (ITS) held a Workshop on the Utilization of Fiberglass for the manufacture of long boats in a social entrepreneurship program.

The workshop was the implementation of the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini in supporting the acceleration of economic development in Papua, especially in efforts to empower the economy so that residents and fishermen can be more prosperous. Previously, people made boats traditionally, so the catches were not optimal.

The workshop was held at the Department of Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding ITS Surabaya for ten days on 1 - 10 June 2022, which was attended by 15 youths from Jayapura, Asmat, and Yapen Regencies. Participants were accompanied by Sholikan (Lecturer of the Department of Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding) and Helly Ocktilia (Lecturer of Social Welfare Polytechnic). This was a collaboration between the Directorate of Remote Indigenous Community Empowerment (KAT) and Social Entrepreneurship of MoSA with the Directorate of Research and Community Service ITS Surabaya.

Each participant had an introduction to the wooden ship condition made by the ITS team, raw materials, and the time needed in the manufacturing process. Then participants were invited to see the fiberglass shipbuilding and discuss the details of the workshop activities with the ITS team.

Each participant attended a lesson related to the theory of Fiberglass Shipbuilding Safety delivered by the Lecturer of the Department of Marine Engineering, Sufian Imam Wahidi on Saturday (4/6).

As a support, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini on the same day specifically visited the workshop location on the ITS Campus when participants were making lofting molds or applying designs to their actual sizes.

“Hi, dearest friends! Keep up the good work. There's nothing that can't be done. Where there is a will, there is a way," said the Minister.

Previously, as an effort to facilitate accessibility and accelerate economic development in Papua, MoSA has also collaborated with ITS Surabaya and Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) in the manufacture of 6 fiberglass fast boats and 2 electric motors. The assistance was then handed over on 23 March 2022 ago in Jayapura City.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs