EduAsiaNews, Bandung – A sociology lecturer at Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Dr. Wahyu Gunawan, has received the 2026 Sunda Sabuana Award in the Empowerment Humanity category. The award was presented by the West Java Sundanese Customary Council (MASDA Jabar) and the Sunda Sabuana Friendship Forum Foundation at the Cultural Center Building in Bandung, West Java, on Sunday (Oct. 18, 2026).
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan and Anton Charliyan, a retired police inspector general who serves as chair of the Sundanese Customary Council. The award recognizes recipients’ contributions to social and community development.
Wahyu was honored for his significant role in developing coffee tourism to improve community welfare in various parts of West Java, including Warjabakti Village in Cimaung district, Bandung regency. He has also integrated research, community service, the commercialization of innovations and the strengthening of an institution-based coffee development model through the Coffee Society Research Center (CORNER) at Padjadjaran University. Supported by several fellow lecturers, Wahyu serves as head of the center, which operates under the university’s Directorate of Research, Commercialization and Community Service (DRHPM). CORNER uses data, observation, analysis and academic learning as the basis for understanding the coffee ecosystem and designing development measures.
After receiving the award, Wahyu said preserving Sundanese culture could not be achieved through ceremonial activities alone. Cultural values, he argued, must be reflected in people’s everyday habits and behavior. “Culture is not merely ceremonial; it must become a habit,” he said.
According to him, the challenge for customary institutions going forward is to ensure that Sundanese culture does not remain merely a symbol or a feature of events, but also serves as a guide for social life. He said this would require stronger customary institutions, the nurturing of younger generations and collaboration among cultural figures, the government and the public.
The 2026 Sunda Sabuana Awards were held as part of the commemoration of National Culture Day under the theme “Sundanese Culture, Foundation of Nusantara Culture”. The program also included the inauguration of the Sundanese Customary Councils (DATSUN) at the city, regency and regional levels, as well as the Rancage Team of the Sundanese Customary Council. The events aim to strengthen the role of customary institutions and the community in sustaining Sundanese culture as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. (**)
