Bandung, 1 September 2026 – Concerned by the decline in reading interest and literacy proficiency among Indonesian children, BINUS for Literacy (BLITS) was initiated by BINUS Global, the Community Development Center, and representatives from BINUS campuses. Through collaborations with PT Erajaya Swasembada, Universitas Kristen Maranatha, and Rumah Belajar Rubel Melong, the program brings together industry, academia, and local communities to encourage reading habits and expand access to literacy opportunities for young learners. 

(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits)

Recent data illustrates the scale of the challenge. According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (2024), reading proficiency among junior secondary school students fell from 44.62% in 2015 to 25.6% in 2022. Meanwhile, Badan Pusat Statistik reported a similar trend, country’s reading interest rate declined from 72.44% in 2024 to 54.80% in 2025. As reading habits continue to weaken, expanding access to books and creating engaging learning environments have become increasingly important. 

To support these efforts, BINUS University, through BLITS, invited all Binusians to contribute by donating books and collecting e-waste. The first phase resulted in the collection of 521 books and 222 e-waste items, which were formally handed over to Erajaya on 16 July at BINUS @Kemanggisan – Anggrek Campus. The electronic waste was subsequently processed by its recycling partners, and the proceeds were used to purchase new books for learning communities and reading spaces in areas surrounding BINUS campuses. 


(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits)

“This program is built on a shared commitment to fostering a culture of reading that is both inclusive and sustainable. Through the participation of BINUS campuses in Kemanggisan, Alam Sutera, Bekasi, Senayan, Malang, Bandung, Semarang, and Medan, we hope to make books more accessible to communities that need them,” said Dr. Rudy Arendal, BINUS @Bandung Deputy Campus Director Academic Research and Student Development.  

Maranatha also took part in the book donation campaign. The collaboration began in February, as both institutions explored ways to support literacy initiatives within local communities. This partnership was formally formed by signing an agreement on 28 August at the Maranatha campus. 


(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits)

“Community engagement has always been an important part of our mission and reflects our commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. We greatly appreciate the BLITS initiative, which is not only focused on short-term activities but is also designed with long-term sustainability in mind. We hope this partnership continues and opens up opportunities for future collaborations that can bring even greater impact,” said Florence Leony, Director of Partnerships at Universitas Kristen Maranatha. 

On the other hand, Dr. Rudy sees BLITS as a way to connect communities with better access to learning spaces and educational resources. 

“We believe every book that reaches a reader can broaden horizons, inspire new ideas, and open up opportunities for a better future,” he added. 

The collaboration’s first project was the revitalization of Rumah Belajar Rubel Melong, a community learning center in Cimahi, Bandung, which was inaugurated on 28 August as the pilot project. Bandung was selected as the starting location because of the close connection between BINUS @Bandung, Maranatha campus, and the local learning community involved in the initiative. 

(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits)

The revitalization gave children not only a more comfortable place to learn, but also greater access to books. By the end of August, 692 donated books had been collected for Rubel Melong, enriching its collection of reading materials. The books have since been incorporated into literacy workshops and reading activities that encourage children to discover the joy of reading from an early age. 

After the inauguration, the learning space quickly became a hub for literacy activities. One of the workshops brought together around 40 to 50 children from the surrounding community under the theme “My Dream.” Through a combination of writing and drawing exercises, participants were invited to imagine their future, identify their strengths, and express their aspirations in their own unique ways. The session encouraged self-expression while helping children develop confidence in communicating their ideas. 

The pilot project at Rubel Melong is only the beginning. According to Diaz Sumizar, Chair of the program, the initiative aims to reach more communities while ensuring that donated books are placed where they can be regularly accessed and enjoyed. 

“BLITS is about more than collecting books. We want to make sure they end up in reading spaces that are actively used by the community and continue to serve a purpose over time. We also hope the partnership we’ve built with Universitas Kristen Maranatha, and our other partners keeps growing, encouraging more people to get involved and contribute to the communities around them,” he expressed. 


(Photo Credit: Mufti Al-Warits)

From donated books to literacy workshops, BLITS has shown how a simple idea can create opportunities for children to learn and grow. With plans to expand the initiative across communities surrounding BINUS campuses in different regions, we hope more children gain access to books, reading spaces, and literacy activities that encourage regular reading habits from an early age. 

Author: Mita Adhisti | Editor: Yusuf Rifai