In the coastal areas of Maluku, earthquakes are not merely a potential threat, but a reality that continually looms over the lives of local communities. This awareness of risk has driven cross-university collaboration to bring early warning technology directly to the people.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), together with the Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku (UKIM), collaborated to install six units Earthquake Warning Alert System (EWAS) in Central Maluku Regency. This technology is designed to help communities receive earthquake early warnings quickly, allowing them time to respond and reduce disaster risk.
The installation of the EWAS was carried out from 10 to 16 November 2025 and covered two coastal areas, namely Waai Village and Nusalaut Island. Each location was equipped with three EWAS units as part of efforts to strengthen technology-based disaster mitigation.
In this collaboration, FMIPA UI served as the mentoring university through a lecturer from the Geophysics and Geology Study Program, Dr. Eng. Supriyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. In addition to providing technical support, FMIPA UI also developed a community empowerment approach to ensure that the installed technology can be utilized optimally.
“The installation of the EWAS demonstrates that technological innovations from universities can be directly applied to enhance public safety,” said Supriyanto.
EWAS is an automated detection system capable of providing earthquake early warnings within a short time frame. According to Supriyanto, the system will be effective only if it is accompanied by community understanding of how it works and the appropriate responses when a warning is issued.
This activity was integrated into two community service programs supported by funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek). The first program was the Student Impact Program: Community Empowerment organized by the UKIM Student Executive Board (PM-BEM) on Nusalaut Island, chaired by Vanny Leutualy, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. The second program was the Social Collaboration for Community Development Program (Kosabangsa) for Fiscal Year 2025, which focuses on the application of science and technology to create disaster-resilient coastal villages in Waai Village, chaired by Joanna Cristy Patty.
Beyond merely installing the equipment, the activity also emphasized the importance of continuous assistance. The FMIPA UI team provided mentoring to ensure that community members are able to operate and utilize the EWAS system independently in their daily lives.
“The success of an innovation is not measured solely by the technology itself, but also by the community’s ability to utilize it. Therefore, we are not only introducing technology, but also striving to empower communities to become more disaster-responsive by operating the EWAS,” Supriyanto added.
This collaboration received appreciation from the Faculty of Health Sciences at UKIM. The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKIM Ambon, Ns. Dene F. Sumah, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.MB., emphasized that synergy between universities is key to delivering innovations whose benefits are truly felt by the community.
“This collaboration is highly significant in strengthening community preparedness and empowerment, while also supporting the efforts of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UKIM to enhance the safety of surrounding communities,” he said.
Throughout the implementation of the activity, Supriyanto and his team—Adde Nugroho, S.T., and Ari—were actively involved from the planning stage through to implementation. The assistance covered the development of technological concepts, the design of community empowerment programs, proposal preparation, financial planning, fulfillment of program outputs, and the strengthening of collaborative networks with various partners.
The presence of EWAS in Waai Village and Nusalaut Island represents a concrete step by FMIPA UI and UKIM in strengthening community preparedness in earthquake-prone areas. From campus to the coast, technology emerges as part of a collective effort to build resilience.
