Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim, deployed 4,504 students who would conduct an online community service program in Senate Hall on Monday (29/6). The students would be deployed in 27 provinces, 77 regencies, and 263 villages throughout Indonesia from 29 June until 18 August 2020.
Through virtual communication, the Minister delivered his appreciation for UGM innovation in conducting an online community service program, which previously organized offline where the students went to the field and directly interacted with the community. Due to the pandemic, the program is conducted online to ensure the students’ and communities’ health and safety from Covid-19. “I praise this innovation. UGM Community Service Program is one of our inspirations for the Independent Campus program”, he said.
Aside from the online implementation, Nadiem also said that the program period, which was around two months, was not enough. In the Independent Campus concept, which he planned for two semesters, the students would learn outside the campus, both for community service program, internship, and student exchange. “Conducting programs by taking a quarter of undergraduate students’ period. We can conduct one year off-campus to show its dedication from the whole four years (lectures). They have to study outside campus,” he said.
UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., said that the community service program is a learning process on campus in the form of community service to grow the students’ empathy and sympathy toward real problems in the community. However, during this pandemic, the students and communities interact online. “We do not want the students to be late in their studies, especially community service program as a compulsory subject that must continue to be held and pay attention to the health and safety aspects of students and the community,” said Panut.
Central Java Governor and the Chairman of UGM Alumni Association, Ganjar Pranowo, during his welcoming speech, said that the students should educate the community who concern about Covid-19. Moreover, vaccination in the integrated service post and family planning injections no longer work due to the fear of Covid-19. “The students should educate the community regarding Covid-19”, said Ganjar.
In addition to Covid prevention education, he also asked students to collect data on community groups affected by Covid digitally. Many data on the delivery of social aid are not on target because of incorrect data.
Meanwhile, the Director of Community Service, Prof. Ir. Irfan Priyambada, M.Sc., Ph.D., said the implementation of student community service UGM this time was done online. The students are placed in 178 locations, spread across 28 provinces, 77 regencies, and 263 villages. While at the locations, the students will carry out various activity program themes, including improving hygiene and healthy living habits, developing tourist villages, strengthening the people’s economy, and preparing the community for the New Normal era.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/19630-mendikbud-lepas-4-504-mahasiswa-kkn-ppm-ugm-secara-daring
