The D-4 Animation Program at Dian Nuswantoro University (Udinus) Semarang has achieved many accomplishments, and most recently, its animation ‘Si Warik’ received funding from the Kedaireka Program. Featuring three characters—Warik, Dian, and Endog—the animation successfully secured Rp 360 million in funding.
This grant is part of the Kedaireka program, which connects businesses and industries with universities in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Kedaireka is a modern solution that facilitates synergy between higher education and industrial commercialization for the advancement of Indonesia.
Within Kedaireka, there is the Matching Fund program, which is a concrete form of support from the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) to create collaboration and strategic synergy between higher education institutions (Insan Dikti) and industry partners.
In an interview, the Head of the D-4 Animation Program at Udinus, Dr. Khafiizh Hastuti, S.Kom., M.Kom, explained that ‘Si Warik’ is a project from the study program involving internship students as well as alumni. Now, this animation by the Udinus D-4 Animation Program has successfully received funding from the Kedaireka program.
“This is a proud achievement for the Udinus D-4 Animation Program. The plan is to use the funds to further develop the ‘Si Warik’ animation, including producing a new episode,” she explained.
The six-minute animated film features uniquely designed characters. Dian is portrayed as a girl with blue hair, wearing blue clothes and glasses. Her name is inspired by Dian Nuswantoro University, where the animation was produced.
Meanwhile, Warik is depicted as a boy wearing red clothes and a Warak Ngendog mask. Endog, on the other hand, is portrayed as an egg-shaped robot that can fly and, of course, has intelligence, knowing various things like a search engine.
Separately, the producer of ‘Si Warik’ and lecturer at the Udinus D-4 Animation Program, Nita Virena Nathania B.Des (Hons)., MBA, said that the animation is aimed at children. The production has a specific goal of increasing knowledge and delivering educational messages to children in Indonesia. She also hopes that the funding secured by the Udinus D-4 Animation Program for ‘Si Warik’ will be a stepping stone toward producing high-quality animations.
“We use the production of this animated film as a learning tool for our students before they eventually enter the real-world animation industry,” she concluded.
