PANGKALPINANG, Bangka Belitung — In an era where a tourist destination can go viral through a single short video, the way a place is presented has become just as important as its natural beauty. Recognizing this reality, Universitas Terbuka (UT) Pangkalpinang has taken an active role by going beyond classroom instruction to help local communities package and promote their regional tourism potential. One such initiative was the Bukit Pinteir Tourism Digital Content Marketing and Branding Workshop, held at the UT Pangkalpinang Campus on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The Community Service (Pengabdian kepada Masyakarat – PkM) Program served as a platform connecting academic expertise with the practical needs of local communities. Through the workshop, Universitas Terbuka Pangkalpinang provided digital content creation training for the management team of Bukit Pinteir, a destination known for its natural attractions, outdoor recreation, and educational tourism in Bangka Belitung. The primary objective was straightforward yet essential: equipping participants with the skills to produce promotional videos capable of capturing public attention amid the constant flow of content on social media.
From the beginning of the program, UT adopted a hands-on learning approach. Rather than simply attending lectures, participants were directly involved in creating video content. The training covered fundamental videography techniques, including camera handling, selecting effective shooting angles, developing compelling storylines, and producing videos suitable for digital platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Unggul Utan Sufandi, Director of Universitas Terbuka Pangkalpinang, emphasized that the university’s engagement with local communities reflects its commitment to becoming an institution with tangible social impact.
“Through this community service program, UT Pangkalpinang is committed to serving as a university that creates real impact, not only in education, but also in supporting local potential through the use of digital technology and community development programs,” he said.
His remarks illustrate how Universitas Terbuka fulfills its mission as an inclusive open university. Beyond serving enrolled students, UT actively works with communities to strengthen local capacities and improve their competitiveness in the digital era.
Yusuf, Head of the Community Service Team, added that tourism promotion has undergone significant transformation, with visual storytelling now playing a decisive role in attracting visitors.
“We organized a practical workshop to help tourism managers create engaging and communicative videos, enabling Bukit Pinteir’s tourism potential to reach a broader audience through digital media,” he explained.
Beyond the training itself, UT also provided videography equipment to support the continued production of promotional content for Bukit Pinteir. This assistance was intended to ensure that participants could independently apply the skills they had acquired and continue promoting the destination in the future.
Depu, Secretary of the Bukit Pinteir Lestari Tourism Awareness Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata – Pokdarwis), said the program addressed a long-standing need among the local tourism managers.
“This training has greatly helped us understand how to create engaging videos. Previously, we relied on learning independently through YouTube. Now we have received direct guidance from experts. The videography equipment provided will also be extremely valuable for our future promotional efforts,” he said.
The initiative demonstrates how higher education institutions such as Universitas Terbuka serve not only as providers of education but also as drivers of community empowerment. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to Quality Education, Innovation, and inclusive economic growth through the sustainable development of local potential.
Ultimately, the program highlighted an important message: education does not always have to take place inside a classroom. Through Universitas Terbuka, knowledge reaches communities directly, enabling local residents to tell the story of their own region. From Pangkalpinang, UT once again reaffirmed its identity as a university without boundaries, one that not only expands access to learning but also creates opportunities for local potential to grow, gain recognition, and thrive in the digital era.
