Lecturers from the State Hindu Institute (IAHN) Gde Pudja Mataram have once again recorded an achievement in the field of research. A research team from IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram has been selected as one of the winning proposal teams in the 2026 Regional Priority Research Competition organized by the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) of West Nusa Tenggara Province.The research team is led by Dr. Desak Made Yoniartini, M.Pd.H., M.Pd., with Dr. Ni Nyoman Harnika, M.I.Kom., and Eka Putri Paramita, SP., MA., serving as team members. Their proposal is titled “Development of a Multilingual Signage Model to Strengthen Cultural Identity in the Lombok Island Region.”The research stems from concerns over the Sasak language and script as important elements of the cultural identity of the people of Lombok Island. Through the development of multilingual signage in tourism areas, the research seeks to incorporate local language and cultural elements into public spaces while supporting efforts to preserve them.Dr. Desak Made Yoniartini, head of the research team, said that greater attention should be given to the Sasak language and script in the development of tourism on Lombok Island.
“By introducing the Sasak language through these tourism signs, we hope that the Sasak language and script will become more widely recognized and continue to be preserved,” she said.She added that the research findings are expected to serve as recommendations for local governments and communities in developing tourism while maintaining the presence and sustainability of local culture.“Local governments and communities are expected to formulate policies based on the recommendations resulting from this research. The findings will be highly beneficial for local governments and communities in advancing tourism while preserving Sasak culture,” she said.The research also provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration among the team members. Their diverse academic backgrounds are being utilized to broaden perspectives in developing the proposal and shaping the research concept.For Dr. Desak, conducting research is not merely part of an academician’s duties, but also a form of responsibility to make a broader contribution to society.“Research is not merely our duty as lecturers; it is a form of responsibility that we carry as academics,” she said.Through the research, the team seeks to bring together tourism, language, and Sasak culture within a development framework centered on local potential.
The findings are expected to contribute to tourism development while strengthening the presence of cultural identity in public spaces.IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for the research team’s achievement. He said the participation of lecturers in external research programs is important in strengthening the institution’s academic culture while expanding the university’s contribution to regional development.“We extend our appreciation to the research team for successfully securing this opportunity through the 2026 Regional Priority Research Competition. This achievement demonstrates that lecturers at IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram continue to contribute through research that is relevant to the needs and potential of the region,” the Rector said.The Rector also expressed hope that the research would produce not only academic outputs but also tangible benefits for local communities and governments.“We hope this research will go beyond academic outputs and make a tangible contribution to tourism development, the strengthening of cultural identity, and the preservation of the Sasak language and script in West Nusa Tenggara,” he added.The achievement is part of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram’s ongoing efforts to promote research that is rooted in local potential, encourages collaboration, and is oriented toward meaningful benefits for society.
By:AR
