UNIPMA – Behind the sweet taste of Manco Cake lies a long story of community efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Madiun Regency. The story of preserving this traditional culinary heritage was brought by Vanzha Rio Prabowo, a student of the History Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA), to an international academic forum through the 3rd International Conference on History, Social Sciences, and Education (ICHSE) 2026.

The conference, held on July 5–6, 2026, at Universitas Negeri Malang, brought together academics from various universities across Indonesia and participants from several international institutions, including Leiden University (the Netherlands), Curtin University (Australia), and De La Salle University (the Philippines).

At the forum, Rio served as a presenter by discussing the implementation of the Manco Festival in Tambakmas Village, Madiun Regency, as a form of public history practice. Through his research, he explained how the community has worked to preserve Manco Cake as a traditional culinary heritage while introducing the cultural values embedded within it to the wider public.

"Manco Cake is not merely a culinary product, but also part of the identity and stories of the community that need to be continuously preserved," Rio said.

The study aligned with the conference theme, "Oral History for Social Transformation: Inclusivity, Democracy, and Equality," which highlights community experiences and stories as essential elements in developing historical understanding. The Manco Festival serves as an example of how local traditions can continue to thrive through community involvement.

Rio’s research also attracted attention from international academics. One academic from Leiden University, the Netherlands, expressed appreciation for the research approach that captures the voices of grassroots communities. This approach was considered capable of presenting new perspectives in studies on Indonesia, particularly in understanding the social and cultural dynamics of communities in Madiun Regency.

The success of bringing local cultural studies to an international academic stage was supported by the History Education Study Program of FKIP UNIPMA. Starting from the Head of the History Education Study Program, Khoirul Huda, S.Pd., M.Pd., to the lecturers, continuous support has been provided to encourage students to develop research related to history and community potential.

For Rio, the opportunity to become a presenter at an international conference was a valuable experience that demonstrated how public history can emerge through various forms, including traditions and culinary heritage that grow within communities.

"Hopefully, Manco Cake will become increasingly recognized as a cultural heritage of Madiun Regency with historical value and stories from the people behind it," he stated.

Rio’s achievement demonstrates that student research does not only remain within academic spaces but can also serve as a medium to document, preserve, and introduce local cultural richness to a broader audience.

Through various achievements of its students, UNIPMA continues to encourage an academic culture that supports innovative research while strengthening the role of students in highlighting regional potential through knowledge and education.