She, along with other entrepreneurs in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), had just received halal certification for their products. 

“I’m happy that my business is now halal certified,” said Susanti, who runs a traditional snack business in Yogyakarta.

As one of the 100 MSME entrepreneurs receiving halal certification, Susanti expressed her gratitude, saying the program greatly helped MSMEs obtain halal certification. 

“Nowadays, halal certification is like a brand, so it’s very important for us.”

The same joy was visible on Ramiyanti’s face. 

The district office initially offered her and her community of MSME entrepreneurs in Sendangadi the opportunity to join the certification process. 

Afterward, they received direct assistance until they were certified. 

Now, Ramiyanti’s chip products are halal certified, giving her greater confidence in selling her products. 

“I hope this will make consumers trust MSME products more, leading to increased sales,” said Ramiyanti.

The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) organized the halal certificate handover event in collaboration with UGM’s Halal Examination Institute (LPH UGM), LPH UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and the Indonesian Halal Product Process Assistance Agency (LPPPH) Edukasi Wakaf Indonesia.

Professor Abdul Rohman, representing LPPT UGM, stated that this program reflects UGM’s commitment to promoting and fostering a halal product ecosystem in society. 

LPH UGM aims to support entrepreneurs in providing local and international halal assurance to customers. 

“Ensuring your product is halal is the first step before competing with other products in the future,” Professor Rohman emphasized.

Haikal Hassan, Head of BPJPH, also shared this enthusiasm. 

He stressed the importance of supporting local products in obtaining halal certification. 

“We are ranked eighth in halal product production, still behind several countries, even though we have the highest consumption of halal products. This means we consume many imported products, which is a challenge for us to address,” the Head of BPJPH, also known as Babe Haikal, said.

He praised the certification handover as a positive step. 

He cited Australia and the United States, which have already implemented halal certification for their products. 

He observed that contemporary consumer preferences, including the demand for plant-based and ethically sourced animal products, align closely with halal values. 

He urged entrepreneurs to be trustworthy in their practices. 

“Since this is a responsibility, you are obliged to ensure that your products remain free from any haram elements so consumers can be guaranteed products that are compliant, safe, and secure,” he concluded.

Author: Lazuardi  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM Distributes 100 Halal Certificates to Support MSME Growth pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In addition, this student and alumni community also conducted technical training on seedlings in the coastal sandy farmland area of Karanganyar Hamlet, Sanden District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Chairina Indita, the AGISS project manager, also stated that the inauguration of the seedling house is an initial step to promote the independence of agricultural seedlings in coastal sandy lands. 

“This seedling house can bring positive and sustainable changes for farmers in coastal sandy land areas, supporting seedling independence, enhancing productivity, and improving the welfare of farmers in the Sanden area,” Indita said in a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

Indita explained that the Pertamina Foundation supported the inauguration of AGISS through the 2024 PFmuda Program as part of its efforts to support the development of integrated agriculture. 

The seedling house’s construction took about one month. Its aim was to create a facility for intensifying seedlings for superior commodities. 

“We hope this one-month process will create a more efficient seedling process,” she said.

Moreover, Agroritma is committed to continuing to collaborate with various parties to deliver other innovative solutions in the future.

Representatives from Agroritma, the Pasir Makmur Farmers Group, and the Subur Makmur Women’s Farmer Group symbolically inaugurated this agricultural commodity seedling house by signing an AGISS integrity pact.

Dwi, the coordinator of the Agricultural Extension Center in Sanden District, said that seedling houses have always been challenged by the heat from ultraviolet rays. 

“This challenge has been addressed through AGISS, which has been equipped with a mist irrigation system to counteract the hot air that damages the seedlings. Hopefully, this will be beneficial and improve agricultural productivity in sandy land areas,” he said.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Establishes Seedling House in Sanden Coastal Area pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This theme was chosen to raise public awareness, especially among parents, about the importance of maintaining children’s dental health and providing healthy food for their growth and development in celebration of National Nutrition Day 2025.

President Director of RSA UGM, Dr. Darwito, stated that Pasar Krempyeng offered a lively and enjoyable market atmosphere and provided health education to the community through creative and interactive means. 

“This event is expected to encourage the public to be more aware of children’s health, especially in terms of dental care and nutrition,” said Dr. Darwito in his statement sent to journalists Friday (Jan. 24).

The event at RSA UGM’s northern parking lot featured engaging and beneficial activities, including a health talk show titled “Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles for Indonesian Children.” 

The talk show featured professional health experts from RSA UGM who shared the importance of children’s dental care and tips on maintaining healthy teeth early on. 

“We are encouraging children to care for and maintain their dental health,” he added.

In addition to the talk show, there was also a cooking demonstration with the theme “Creative Children’s Menu: Delicious and Tooth-Friendly,” showcasing various healthy recipes suitable for children while instilling the habit of consuming food supporting dental health.

Moreover, a variety of products from Universitas Gadjah Mada and local MSMEs were exhibited and sold, offering visitors the opportunity to support local products while enjoying healthy meals and free health checkups. 

“Visitors can also take advantage of the free health screening services provided at the event,” he said.

Reporter: RSA UGM/Sarah

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel RSA UGM Holds Pasar Krempyeng, Offering Free Dental Checkups for Children pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The visit, led by UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, along with members of Commissions 1 and 2 of UGM’s Academic Senate (SA), was welcomed by Pacitan Regent Indrata Nur Bayuaji and local government officials on Tuesday (Jan. 21).

During the visit, discussions focused on development issues in Pacitan Regency. Several challenges remain in Pacitan’s efforts to improve the welfare of its residents. 

The region’s geographic advantages and natural tourism potential have not yet been fully optimized. Therefore, the Pacitan Regency Government is open to UGM experts advancing development, particularly in the tourism sector.

Indrata Nur Bayuaji noted that the relationship with UGM has been positive. One indicator of this is the large number of Pacitan government employees who are UGM graduates. 

“Our target is for some to pursue doctoral programs at UGM. There’s still much work to be done in Pacitan, as reflected by our geographic conditions. The arrival of UGM experts and KKN students is certainly very helpful for the Pacitan Regency Government,” he said.

Bayuaji believes that the current era is one of collaborative work. Building Pacitan, he said, requires input from various sources. 

“To develop Pacitan, we need input from Pacitan residents and everyone. Collaborative work is key, and we are open to contributions from anyone,” he added.

Dr. Sujito mentioned that KKN PPM UGM has been implemented in 35 provinces across Indonesia. Issues usually need to be addressed in each KKN location. 

KKN PPM in Pacitan has been ongoing since 2018, and the student placements in Punung District have varied. 

“Thank you for the warm reception from the community. The Pacitan local government has received KKN well,” he explained.

He added that in every KKN implementation, UGM collaborates with alumni and both public and private local universities. UGM’s principle in conducting KKN is to collaborate with various stakeholders. 

“We present programs such as strengthening the creative economy (MSMEs), developing local potential, and in this area, focusing on geopark development, updating regional data, and more,” he explained.

Dr. Sujito hopes that through KKN, UGM students can identify village potential that is aligned with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD). 

He also hopes that the Pacitan Regency Government will assist UGM students, enabling them to discuss theories and understand the reality on the ground. 

“The work done by UGM students is expected to empower the community. We extend our thanks to the regent and the SKPD team, as past experiences have shown that the growing development of rural communities encourages UGM to continuously collaborate,” he said.

Professor T. Yoyok Wahyu Subroto from UGM’s Academic Senate Commission 1 highlighted the significant potential of Pacitan Regency, which should be developed more optimally. 

He hopes that tourism development in the area can become a pillar of economic growth, particularly in Pacitan Regency and East Java Province as a whole. 

“Pacitan Regency needs to develop a Regional Tourism Development Master Plan (Ripparda). This is essential as a guide for tourism development. UGM has many experts and a Center for Tourism Studies that can assist with this,” he explained.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM and Pacitan Regency Discuss Tourism Development in Pacitan pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

FACT manifests UGM and SUTD’s commitment to providing clean and renewable energy as part of their community service efforts. 

The activity, which took place from Jan. 6 to 10, focused on modeling uncertainty and designing a PV system for the riverside community. 

This year’s FACT was attended by 43 UGM students from the DTMI, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DTETI), Department of Chemical Engineering (DTK), and 33 students from SUTD.

Dr. Achmad Pratama Rifai from DTMI UGM stated that FACT participants worked together in groups at the DTMI Technical Drawing Laboratory, RW 05 Kalurahan Terban, and the Kalurahan Cokrodiningratan Wastewater Treatment Installation. 

In line with the theme, participants were tasked with designing a model for installing solar panels that could be utilized by the communities in Terban and Cokrodiningratan for daily activities requiring electricity, such as community gatherings, water pumping for clean water, and wastewater treatment.

On the first day, participants received a briefing and background materials about the locations for the solar panel installations. This was important to provide an initial understanding of the sites to be visited. 

“Several solar panels are already installed at different points. Participants will model the potential spots for solar panel installations,” explained Dr. Rifai.

He added that with the foundational knowledge gained, participants were taken on a field trip on the second day to visit the sites in Terban and Cokrodiningratan. 

Supriyanto, the Head of RW 05 Kalurahan Terban, welcomed the field trip at the Nidaul Jannah Mosque Hall in Terban. The residents of Terban warmly welcomed the participants. 

“We are happy to welcome guests from SUTD again. We hope the activities will run smoothly,” said Supriyanto.

On the first day, after being divided into groups, participants proceeded to their respective sites to gather detailed data necessary for their tasks, assisted by liaison officers (LO) from the Industrial Engineering Student Association (HMTI) UGM and local community officials. 

After the field trip, participants had the opportunity to reflect on their visit and engage in discussions to prepare the models for presentation.

The designed models’ presentations were then conducted, with each group given 7 minutes to present and 10 minutes for questions from the judges. 

The judging panel consisted of Dr. Wong Wei Pin (SUTD), Dr. Achmad Pratama Rifai (DTMI UGM), and Dr. Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra (DTMI UGM). 

The judges assessed several aspects of the participants’ presentations, including the formulation of the problem statement, data presentation, determination of hypotheses and analysis boundaries, solution methods, presentation of solutions and their impacts, and the group’s presentation performance.

Based on their evaluation, the judges selected one best team and two best individual participants, one from UGM and one from SUTD. 

After completing the evaluations, the judges named Team 9 the best team and Srikanth Srider (SUTD) and Chika Zenita Sabrina (DTK UGM) the best participants. 

The participants then had the opportunity to attend lectures from UGM and SUTD faculty members. They participated in lectures delivered by Dr. Wong Wei Pin (SUTD), Syahirul Alim Ritonga (UGM), Dr. Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia (SUTD), and Dr. Yun Prihantina Mulyani (UGM).

In his closing remarks, Dr. Jose Rafael Martinez Garcia reminded the participants about the importance of considering human aspects in the community, even in quantitative modeling. 

“Considering the human aspect in a community is also important,” explained Dr. Garcia.

Dr. Wong Wei Pin expressed a similar sentiment, wishing that both SUTD and UGM participants could learn valuable lessons from the FACT program. 

“The participants’ creativity was awe-inspiring. I hope everyone gained valuable insights and continues to innovate in designing human-centered solutions,” he added.

Dr. Adhika Widyaparaga, Secretary of DTMI UGM, explained that this year’s FACT topic is related to the SDGs, such as affordable clean energy. 

“Modelling uncertainty in FACT plays a significant role in realizing this by designing the right energy generation system to avoid potential errors,” he said.

Dr. Widyaparaga hopes that this community service activity, a collaboration between the two universities, will inspire students to continue innovating to produce clean, renewable, and affordable energy.

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM and SUTD Students Design Solar Panel Installation Model in Yogyakarta pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

While many are familiar with Studio Alam Gamplong, few realize the huge potential and uniqueness of Gamplong Tourism, particularly through its handicrafts that produce unique products like traditional woven fabrics with distinctive patterns reflecting the beauty of local culture, as well as creatively crafted home accessories and decorations made from natural materials like rattan, bamboo, sand, and natural fibers.

Despite being a fairly popular tourist destination, Gamplong Tourism Village still faces some challenges in its management, one of which is the lack of a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). 

The absence of an SOP has been an obstacle in managing coordination between the village managers, artisans, and tourists. 

As a form of support to help Gamplong become a more professional tourism village, students from the Tourism Program of UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM) initiated a discussion forum to draft the SOP involving various parties, including village managers, division heads, and division members.

“This forum discussed several key points, such as standardizing the flow of tourist visits, including guidelines from the reservation process to tourist drop-off, and scheduling activities such as craft-making lessons and enjoying local cuisine,” said Franzeska Aurellia Oenang, a Tourism Program student, in a statement sent to reporters on Monday (Dec. 30).

In discussions with the division heads of Gamplong Tourism Village, Oenang mentioned several major issues, such as the lack of clear work guidelines for each division and the ambiguity of task distribution, especially in welcoming tourists when the number of visitors increases, leading to frequent confusion in implementation.

Additionally, task distribution between divisions also became a focus, with the establishment of clear responsibilities for the homestay, guide, culinary, and marketing divisions and the assurance of effective communication flow to avoid miscommunication. 

“Monitoring and evaluation systems were also discussed, including scheduling regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the SOP and providing space for tourist feedback to improve service quality,” she explained.

Just as importantly, she added, environmental management and sustainability were also addressed, with the drafting of an SOP to maintain the cleanliness of the tourism village and encourage artisans to use environmentally friendly materials in their products. 

“With standardized SOPs, Gamplong Tourism Village is expected to improve the quality of its management, thereby providing a better tourist experience. Furthermore, the SOP is a crucial step in ensuring the sustainability of this tourism village in the future,” she stated.

Oenang reckoned that Gamplong has great potential to continue developing as a tourist destination that entertains and educates.

“Through collaboration between students, managers, and the local community, this village will be even more prepared to compete nationally and internationally,” she explained.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Students Assist in Drafting SOP for Tourist Services in Gamplong Village pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event also included a photography competition and awards for groups that collected the most trash and showcased the best creativity. For the cleanup, the 50 participants were divided into several groups and provided with tools such as trash bags, brooms, trash rakes, and baskets for waste collection.  

Professor Alim Isnansetyo, Head of the Fisheries Department at UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized that this community service activity, involving students, lecturers, and staff, reflects a tangible effort to preserve ecosystems while offering participants a refreshing break after final exams. 

“After exhausting exams, this beach cleanup offers a chance to unwind and contribute positively to the environment,” he stated.  

The initiative received strong support and participation from the Pantai Baru tourism group and residents who joined the cleanup effort. By involving the local community and tourism groups, the activity aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a clean environment, especially in coastal areas.  

Dr. Eko Setyobudi, Head of the Fisheries Science Master’s Program at UGM, highlighted the activity’s importance as a learning opportunity and a practical application of knowledge related to marine and coastal ecosystems. 

“As a generation involved in fisheries and marine sciences, preserving the marine ecosystem is a shared responsibility. We hope this activity makes a real contribution,” Dr. Setyobudi explained.  

The cleanup proceeded smoothly and effectively, covering the entire beach area. The event concluded with a social gathering, during which each group presented entertainment such as songs, poetry, pantun (traditional rhymes), and charades.  

Suwandi, an activist and Head of the Pantai Baru Tourism Group, expressed his gratitude to the UGM Fisheries Science students. He acknowledged that Bantul’s coastal areas often face waste accumulation, especially from river estuaries, which peaks between December and February. 

“This beach cleanup is a significant help for us as beach managers, especially in maintaining the cleanliness of the coastal area,” he said.  

As a result, the activity not only succeeded in cleaning the coastal area but also provided an educational experience for participants about the importance of environmental cleanliness. The initiative demonstrated a collective commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment. 

“This program not only serves as a learning opportunity but also represents a tangible contribution from the academic community to coastal environmental sustainability,” Suwandi concluded.  

Author: Agung Nugroho

Artikel Graduate Students of Fisheries Science Conduct Beach Cleanup at Pantai Baru pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

“The habit of not brushing teeth is the main cause of the rising cases of dental issues,” said Professor Suryono, Dean of the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM), during the opening ceremony of the National Dental Health Month (BKGN) 2024 on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at the FKG UGM campus.  

To raise public awareness about the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, FKG UGM, in collaboration with PT Unilever Indonesia, organized a community service program on Dec. 17-19. 

The program provided free dental checkups and treatments to 880 patients, including the general public, school students, and children with special needs. 

“The program includes a series of dental health activities, such as free checkups and treatments for university students, elementary school students, the public, and children with special needs, as well as education through Teledentistry, utilizing online applications for dental consultations,” he explained.  

Professor Suryono expressed his gratitude to Unilever for its 15 years of collaboration with FKG UGM, consistently providing support and excellent facilities for community service initiatives in Yogyakarta. 

This year’s BKGN theme is “Dare to Show Your Smile, Support a Stronger Indonesia.” Professor Suryono hopes this event will raise public awareness about maintaining oral health. 

“This support enables us to provide free dental and oral health services to the surrounding community, including through regular BKGN activities,” he said.  

The Chairperson of BKGN 2024, Silviana Farrah Diba, reported that BKGN’s main activities began with a Training of Trainers (TOT) session to educate elementary school teachers on proper toothbrushing techniques. 

This training involved five elementary schools in Yogyakarta: SDIT Asyudit, SLB Negeri 2 Yogyakarta, SD Budi Utama, KBRA Baitur Rahman, and SDIT Bakti Insani.  

Following this, a Roadshow School Health Program (SHP) was conducted at each school, engaging 742 students. The program included dental health counseling and distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

FKG UGM also initiated the Student Ambassador Program in collaboration with the 1000 Guru Foundation and Pepsodent.  

UGM’s Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, commended FKG UGM for its commitment to community service. 

“UGM fully supports initiatives like this, which benefit the community and encourage new collaborations to expand dental health services,” he stated.  

Dr. Sujito highlighted that BKGN is an event for dental health checkups and has a significant sociological impact. 

As a university prioritizing the tri-dharma of higher education, UGM will continue to support and strengthen community service activities regularly on campus and in other regions to maximize the university’s contributions.  

The Head of Professional Marketing Personal Care at Unilever Indonesia, Ratu Mirah Afifah, revealed that the number of dental and oral disease cases remains high, according to data from the 2018 Riskesdas and the latest 2023 health survey. 

“Over the past 15 years, BKGN has benefited more than 1.1 million Indonesians, thanks to the contributions of over 25,000 dentists across Indonesia,” she said.  

Afifah noted enhancements in the Tanya Tanya Gigi by Pepsodent online dental consultation service launched in 2020 as part of its improvement efforts. 

Over the past two years, Unilever has also developed diversity and inclusion initiatives involving patients from special education schools within FKG and RSGM environments. 

“We aim to ensure that all community members, including those with special needs, benefit from this program,” she added.  

BKGN represents a collaboration between FKG UGM and Unilever through the Pepsodent brand, the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), various affiliates, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Its mission is to help Indonesians overcome oral and dental health issues, particularly cavities.  

Author: Lintang  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson  

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel UGM and Unilever Provide Free Dental Checkups for 880 People pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Held in a hybrid format at the MM Hotel UGM, the forum focused on “Building Resilient Communities through Education for Sustainable Development: Advancing the SDGs for a Better and Sustainable Planet.” 

The event was a collaborative effort between RCE Yogyakarta and Shizuoka University, Japan; Srinakharinwirot University and Burapha University, Thailand; Mariano Marcos State University, Philippines; and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.

The forum brought together education experts, students, and practitioners, emphasizing knowledge-sharing, partnership-building, and concrete actions toward achieving the SDGs while promoting sustainability within communities through ESD.

UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia highlighted that addressing challenges in building resilient communities aligned with the SDGs requires innovative solutions and collective commitment from all sectors of society. 

She reaffirmed UGM’s strong dedication to promoting sustainability through education, research, and community service. 

“As an academic institution, we recognize our vital role in empowering individuals and communities to enhance their capacities, demonstrating our commitment to driving positive change,” she stated.

Professor Emilia added that UGM’s involvement in the 12th ESD Forum reflects the university’s dedication to global efforts to address urgent environmental, social, and economic challenges, particularly through education. 

“I express my gratitude to all our partners involved. I believe these collective efforts can inspire young generations to act wisely in creating a more sustainable planet,” she concluded.

The forum opened with a keynote speech by Professor M. Baiquni, who discussed UGM’s efforts to foster community resilience through collaborative learning and local solutions. 

He emphasized that universities should provide education and actively engage with communities to address sustainability challenges at the local level.  

Dr. Rustamaji, UGM Director of Community Service (DPKM), underscored the significance of education in driving real-world impacts, citing best practices implemented by DPKM UGM. 

He highlighted UGM’s belief in education as a transformative force for society, as demonstrated through programs such as the Student Community Service Program (KKN-PPM), which connects students with local communities to implement sustainable solutions. 

“This forum serves as a crucial platform for sharing ideas and building partnerships that contribute to achieving the SDGs,” he said.

Professor Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, Manager of the 12th ESD Forum, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable development through education. 

According to him, the forum exemplifies the strength of global collaboration by uniting diverse perspectives to address complex sustainability issues. 

“Through this forum, we hope to create lasting impacts not only within academia but also in local communities, where true change begins,” he concluded.

Throughout the forum, participants engaged in a series of parallel sessions where experts discussed the practical implementation of ESD and shared innovative strategies for integrating sustainability into education systems, community development, and environmental management. 

These sessions fostered rich discussions on topics such as the role of digital tools in ESD, integrating traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices, and building effective partnerships for community resilience.

In addition to seminar sessions, the forum featured a field visit to Gunungkidul, a regency in Yogyakarta renowned for its sustainable development initiatives. Participants visited local projects supported by UGM students through the KKN program in Patuk. 

This program allows students to work directly with communities to explore sustainable solutions in education, agriculture, and environmental management. The visit also included a stop at the Gunkid Chocolate House, managed by the Sarimulyo Farmers Group, showcasing how local farmers integrate sustainable agricultural practices. 

These field visits highlighted the importance of community-driven projects and the role of education in fostering such initiatives.

Author: Triya Andriyani  

Photo: DPKM UGM

Artikel UGM Hosts International Forum on Education for Sustainable Development pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This program results from three months of intensive collaboration between students, practitioners, and the local community to enrich Brayut Village’s tourism diversification.

Twenty tourists attended the launch of “Nitirasa Brayut” on Friday (Dec. 6). Visitors were invited to join an enjoyable cooking class in the village’s peaceful atmosphere. 

Afterward, they could taste the dishes they had prepared with the village community.

Student coordinator Nadine Nabila mentioned that the program offers traditional village food and aims to add value to visitors by involving them in the cooking process. 

“We want to offer an authentic experience to tourists, such as learning how to make Legondo, a traditional snack made only during special events,” said Nabila in a statement sent to journalists on Monday (Dec. 16).

“Nitirasa Brayut” is a tangible application of learning from the Praktisi Mengajar Program, a part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative. Over the three months, UGM Tourism students conducted surveys, discussions, and collaborations with the community to design an experiential tourism concept. 

“In its implementation, students were directly mentored by lecturers and professional practitioners in the program,” Nabila added.

Ganies Riza Aristya, the Praktisi Mengajar Program coordinator at UGM, praised the collaboration. According to him, the program allows students to gain hands-on experience in the field with the community. 

“I think this is an opportunity to bridge the theory learned in class with real-world reality,” he explained.

One of the practitioners, Hannif Andy Al Anshori, added that the Praktisi Mengajar Program encourages students in the Community-Based Tourism course to face real-life case studies in the field. The students not only learn but also contribute to the development of the village. 

“Students are here to identify community needs and collaboratively create relevant tourism products,” he said.

Through this innovation, UGM students in the program demonstrate that synergy between education, practitioners, and the community can produce tourism innovations that benefit all parties. 

“This program shows the incredible enthusiasm of the community and tourists. We hope that such collaborations can continue and serve as an inspiration for developing community-based tourism,” said Anshori.

The Head of Brayut Village, Darmadi, expressed his appreciation for the program, which has helped create a new variety of culinary-based tourism in Brayut Village. Previously, this village focused primarily on cultural and nature tourism. 

“This program innovation adds a unique experience for tourists while still being rooted in local potential,” he concluded.

Reporter: Novia Assifa Belladinna  

Author: Lazuardi  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel UGM Student Team Develops Culinary Tourism Innovation pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.