Rapid developments in digital technology have brought convenience to various aspects of life, including personal finance management. However, behind this convenience lies a major challenge—especially for employees in the health sector who have a fixed income but are vulnerable to falling into a consumptive lifestyle and illegal online loans. Recognizing the urgency of improving financial literacy in the digital age, the Community Service Team from Telkom University organized an educational program for employees of the Perisai Husada Main Clinic in Bandung in April 2025.
This activity is a tangible form of Telkom University’s academic contribution in helping the community, especially productive-age employees, to have a better understanding and skills in managing finances. A total of 27 employees from various educational backgrounds, ranging from high school to master’s degree, participated in this activity. Participants were aged between 25 and 55, an age group that is at an important stage in life in terms of financial planning and management.
This program aims to improve basic understanding of personal financial management, including the ability to distinguish between needs and wants, prepare a household budget, and understand the risks of digital financial services that are not officially supervised by the relevant authorities. In its implementation, the approach used is participatory and applied. The community service team from Telkom University began the activity by coordinating intensively with the management of the Perisai Husada Main Clinic to design materials that were in line with the actual needs in the field.
From the results of initial discussions and observations, it was found that most employees do not yet have the habit of systematically preparing monthly budgets, are not accustomed to separating needs from wants, and have very limited understanding of safe investments in the digital age. Based on these findings, the training material was then compiled in a contextual manner so that it would be easily understood and applied by participants.
The educational activities were conducted offline in the clinic area, beginning with remarks from representatives of the clinic management and the Telkom University lecturer team. The main activity was an interactive lecture presented in an engaging manner, discussing the importance of financial literacy, strategies for managing expenses, and how to recognize and avoid the pitfalls of illegal online loans. This presentation was delivered by a community service team with backgrounds in finance and accounting, so the material provided was practical in nature, not merely theoretical.
To deepen participants’ understanding, the session continued with a focus group discussion (FGD) that addressed various real challenges faced by participants in their daily lives, ranging from consumptive spending, family installments, to the temptation of online. discounts. The discussion was dynamic and enthusiastic. Many participants openly shared their personal experiences in managing finances, including the difficulties they faced and the financial decisions they made in the past.
In addition to discussion sessions, participants also took part in a simulation of preparing a simple household budget. In this session, participants are given real-life examples and asked to prepare a budget that covers basic needs, savings, emergency funds, and long-term investment planning. In this session, participants were also introduced to several investment and financial record-keeping applications that have been registered and supervised by the OJK, so that they can begin to develop the habit of managing their finances digitally in a secure manner.
This activity received positive responses from participants. Based on the results of an evaluation conducted through a closed questionnaire, 96.28% of participants stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the implementation of the program. Participants felt that the material presented was relevant to their needs, the presentation was easy to understand, and the methods used encouraged them to actively participate. Many said they began to understand the importance of developing a financial plan and were motivated to start applying the principles they learned in their daily lives.
However, this activity also faces several obstacles. The difference in participants’ levels of understanding poses a challenge for facilitators in delivering the material evenly. In addition, the limited time available due to the need to accommodate clinic hours meant that the material had to be delivered in a condensed format. Some participants also still feel awkward using digital financial applications, indicating the need for follow-up in the form of assistance or further training.
In the closing session, the community service team expressed their hope that this activity would not end as a one-time educational event, but would be followed up with a regular coaching program facilitated by clinic management. The recommendations include providing an internal forum for sharing financial information and tips, advanced training on investments that match employee risk profiles, and further introduction to financial planning applications.
This community service activity is clear evidence that financial literacy is not only a necessity, but also the right of every individual to achieve financial well-being. When employees have a good understanding of how to manage their finances, they are not only free from debt and a consumptive lifestyle, but also have a strong foundation for planning a more stable future.
Through this activity, Telkom University reaffirms its commitment as a higher education institution that not only focuses on academic activities but also actively participates in the community through empowerment programs that have a direct impact. With a spirit of collaboration and concern, it is hoped that similar programs can be expanded to various other sectors, in order to create a financially literate Indonesian society in this ever-evolving digital age.
