A total of 7,162 students from Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Community Service Program - Community Empowerment Learning (KKN - PPM UGM) have been deployed across 35 provinces in Indonesia. The deployment ceremony took place on Friday, 28 June 2024, at the UGM Balairung Courtyard.
The deployment was symbolically marked by the donning of KKN hats and attributes by UGM Rector Prof. dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K), Ph.D., alongside the Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), Dr. (H.C.) Ir. H. Mochamad Basuki Hadimoeljono, M.Sc., Ph.D., and the Director General of Livestock and Animal Health from the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Nasrullah.
Minister Basuki emphasized that the KKN program demonstrates UGM’s close connection with the people. He encouraged the students to integrate with the community and offer solutions to their problems.
He also expressed high hopes that the students would develop strong leadership skills in preparation for the Golden Indonesia 2045. "As a leader, never give up. If you fail, keep trying and persevering," said Basuki.
UGM Rector Prof. Ova Emilia stated that the deployment of students to 35 provinces reflects UGM's inclusiveness in nation-building. "UGM is here for the nation and the country of Indonesia," said Ova.
The theme for this period’s KKN is "Food Sovereignty and Environmental Management to Support National Peace and Progress." Prof. Ova explained that the theme focuses on three key areas: mapping food issues, providing solutions for access to food resource availability, and environmental conservation. "This reflects our love for the environment and our response to the impact of climate change," she added.
Universitas Gadjah Mada is committed to reaching Indonesia's 3T regions—Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost areas. In this KKN period, several students from the Faculty of Dentistry were placed in Maileppet Village, South Siberut District, Mentawai Islands Regency, West Sumatra Province.
Muhammad Fatih, representing his group, shared that choosing to be placed in a 3T area was a decision made by the group from the beginning, requiring careful planning. From preparation to deployment, they maintained good coordination among group members to ensure that their planned concepts were well executed.
"KKN serves as a medium for us to apply the knowledge we have for the benefit of the community. As students, it is our duty to integrate with the community and provide solutions to their problems," said Fatih.
UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sudjito, S.Sos., M.Si., reported that this period’s KKN involved 7,162 students, organized into 261 units spread across 35 provinces, 124 regencies/cities, and 229 districts in Indonesia.
The KKN program runs from 1 July to 19 August 2024, supervised by 261 Field Supervising Lecturers and 23 Regional Coordinators.
This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the third pillar (Good Health and Well-Being), and the fourth pillar (Quality Education), and the tenth pillar (Reduced Inequalities).
Author: Fajar Budi Harsakti | Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti
