Chromebook PusGita Delivers Learning to Remote Areas

In Indonesia’s most remote corners—where books are scarce, the internet is a luxury, and electricity is unreliable—a team of researchers from BINUS University is quietly changing the education game.

Their invention, Chromebook PusGita, is a compact, offline-accessible digital library designed specifically for underserved and isolated communities. The brainchild of Dr. Rinda Hedwig, S.Kom., M.T., Daniel Patricko Gemeno Hutabarat, S.T., M.T., and Ivan Alexander, S.T., M.T.I., with Marcel Saputra as Research and Development Coordinator, this system brings educational content to the fingertips of students who previously had none.

“Books are heavy, costly to ship, and slow to arrive in remote areas,” Marcel Saputra explained. “Even worse, many of these places don’t have internet or steady electricity. We needed something simple, durable, and completely offline.”

The result is Chromebook PusGita: a portable library server that allows students and teachers to access a curated collection of digital learning resources without ever needing an internet connection. It generates a local Wi-Fi hotspot that devices like Chromebooks and smartphones can connect to, giving access to thousands of educational materials.

When Connectivity Ends, PusGita Begins

Chromebook PusGita was engineered for harsh realities. Whether in the forests of Papua or the hills of Flores, the device can operate in locations completely off-grid. It stores books, videos, language learning tools, science modules, and more—all tailored for primary to high school students.

The system has already been deployed in multiple remote regions, including Ayam and Komor Districts in Asmat, South Papua, and Kajong Village in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. These communities, often cut off from conventional schooling tools, have embraced PusGita as a lifeline to modern education.

“In Kajong, kids now gather every afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. to study,” said Marcel. “Before PusGita, no student from the village had ever been accepted to the local seminary. After a year of using the system, two students made it in. That’s not just an achievement—it’s a turning point.”

Designing for the Impossible

Transporting technology to these regions isn’t easy. The journey often involves dirt roads, river crossings, and hours on foot. That’s why the PusGita team prioritized ruggedness, simplicity, and autonomy in their design.

Marcel explained, “We’re currently developing PusGita Version 6, which will include a built-in power bank, so it won’t even need a power outlet. We’re also expanding its memory capacity and coverage area so more students can access it at the same time.”

The ultimate goal is to allow the system to run independently for days—ideal for villages without reliable power sources.

Content, Not Cables

Unlike online platforms that require streaming or logins, Chromebook PusGita delivers a plug-and-play experience. As long as students have a Wi-Fi-capable device, they can instantly browse, read, or watch the preloaded content. Teachers, too, benefit from digital resources that help prepare lessons and encourage better engagement.

In Flores, local reports show a spike in enthusiasm for learning—especially English—since PusGita’s arrival. In Papua, teachers say the system helps them bridge learning gaps caused by years of infrastructure neglect.

A Vision for Equal Education

The team behind Chromebook PusGita isn’t stopping at hardware. They envision future integrations with solar power, local curriculum customization, and training programs to ensure every community can fully leverage the tool.

“At its heart, PusGita is a commitment to equity,” said Marcel. “Just because a child is born in a remote area, doesn’t mean they should have less access to knowledge.”

In a nation where geography often determines opportunity, Chromebook PusGita is proof that meaningful, scalable innovation can grow from empathy and deep local understanding. It’s not just a device—it’s a doorway to possibility.

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