This program culminated in the Riuk Raya Moa Arts and Cultural Festival, held on Saturday (Jan. 25) at Gerdarsi Beach. The festival was the highlight of a series of cultural appreciation events aimed at promoting local arts.

Azzan Nasrullah, KKN-PPM UGM coordinator, explained that the festival aimed to preserve the culture and customs of Moa Island, particularly in Klis and Nyama. In addition to protecting the culture, the festival aimed to introduce Moa Island to a broader audience and attract tourists. 

“This festival is not just for the KKN-PPM UGM students but for the people of Klis and Nyama. We are proud and happy to be part of this grand event,” Nasrullah stated in a press release on Thursday (Feb. 6).

He emphasized Moa Island’s vast potential, especially in Klis and Nyama, from food to local customs. 

The event included various activities such as traditional dance performances by elders and students, MSME exhibitions, poetry readings, storytelling, song performances, and a drawing contest. 

“All these programs have been a valuable experience for UGM participants and the people of Moa Island. The unique and distinctive customs and traditions must be preserved indefinitely,” he added.

Fadli Kasim, the field supervisor for KKN-PPM MA008, also expressed pride in the festival’s success. He appreciated the involvement of all community elements, from the people of Moa Island to the local government, in making the Riuk Raya Moa Festival successful.

“The KKN-PPM students have become emotionally connected with the community, showing deep care for local wisdom. Alhamdulillah,” he said.

Agustinus L. Kilikily, Deputy Regent of Southwest Maluku, commended the students for helping preserve the region’s arts and culture while enhancing local human resources. 

He noted that the Riuk Raya Moa Festival, part of the team program, is a medium for exploring and promoting cultural values rich in local wisdom. 

“Indonesia is a country of diverse cultures, inherited from our ancestors, but our younger generation often neglects this heritage. It’s essential to raise awareness of the importance of cultural preservation,” Kilikily said.

He hoped that the festival would inspire the government and the community to work together to preserve the culture of Southwest Maluku. 

He also suggested that the festival become an official and continuous agenda. 

“The Education and Culture Department should act as a facilitator in preserving culture and traditions to prevent them from disappearing,” he added.

Author: Tiefany 

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Students Hold Riuk Raya Moa Cultural Festival in Southwest Maluku pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Dr. Destha Titi Raharjana, a researcher at the UGM Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar), stated that the Terban area has the potential to develop a culture-based tourism village. 

He believes that Cik Di Tiro Street, connected to the Kota Baru area, could serve as an interesting storyline for a tourism package. 

“By exploring the historical potential, we can create opportunities and add value to tourism,” he said in a statement sent to journalists on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.

Dr. Raharjana is optimistic about Terban’s development as a historical tourism area, especially after its designation as a Cultural Village, which could strengthen the area’s cultural identity. 

He mentioned that Terban still preserves various cultural traditions, such as Ruwahan, Rejeban, Saparan, and Merti Belik, all of which should be identified and packaged as cultural products for Terban event calendars.

Husni Eko Prabowo, Head of the Tourism Resource Development Department at Yogyakarta City Government, said his office is supporting the development of tourism resources in Terban. 

There is currently only one tourism village in Baciro in the Gondokusuman District. He is committed to facilitating public ideas for tourism development. 

“Our priority is adding more tourism villages and strengthening local commitment. After the village is established, what happens next? We know Terban already has a tourism awareness group (pokdarwis). Let’s work with pokdarwis to encourage the development of local champions to seriously promote Terban as a tourism village,” he explained.

Diandra, a UGM Community Service Unit YO-175 team member, is leading a program called ‘Terban Sadar Wisata: Independent Tourism Development for the Village.’ 

She explained that the team is working to support the development of tourism based on the creative economy. 

“Terban has various historical potentials that should be explored and introduced to the current generation,” she said.

To boost tourism development, Diandra mentioned that the KKN students successfully compiled a tourism profile book to serve as a reference for developing tourism potential. 

“We hope that what we’ve done can serve as a foundation for further tourism development in Terban, including strengthening the collaborative institutions already in place,” she added.

Diandra hopes that the programs executed by the KKN students will continue through community initiatives and be further developed by future KKN teams.

Terban Village Head, Sigit Kusuma Atmaja, highlighted several historical buildings in Terban. 

According to him, these buildings have interesting historical stories. 

One example is the Police Post Office located north of Gramedia, which was once the headquarters of the Indonesian Army. 

“This former Haji Salim’s house is now a Bumbu Desa restaurant,” he explained.

He mentioned that he had received a visit from the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL), who was interested in the Navy’s history. 

According to some sources, the Navy’s headquarters was once located in Terban. 

The Galuh Hotel, located east of SMA 9, was a Navy hospital.

In 2024, Bappenas also conducted similar research, sending a team to study the origins of the National Economic Council. 

“The Panti Rekso Putro building was once considered the birthplace of Bappenas. Dr. Yap’s eye hospital was one of the most advanced eye hospitals and a reference for eye treatment from various regions, including overseas,” Atmaja said.

He added that the people of Terban have mapped out various strategic plans for developing tourism in the area, including educational-based tourism that showcases Terban’s rich historical heritage and digital promotion of culinary tourism. 

“We have a lot of potential. Not only for developing tourist attractions, but Terban also has many young people who have had the opportunity to intern in hospitality, which helps improve skills within the community,” he concluded.

Author: Agung Nugroho

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Artikel UGM Community Service Students Develop Terban Area as a Cultural Tourism Village pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The project involved planting mangroves with the participation of the local community on Sunday (Jan. 26).

The mangrove planting initiative, part of efforts to address the impacts of climate change, was attended by Arman, a local figure from Terapung Village known as a researcher and botanist.

Both students and the community eagerly anticipated his presence as he provided direct support and technical guidance. 

“Of course, his presence is to guide us in the mangrove planting process, making it more effective and sustainable,” said Fauzan Aldi, a member of the UGM team from the Agrocomplex cluster.

Aldi explained that the UGM Agrocomplex team’s observations revealed that the mangrove condition along the coast of Terapung Village faces serious challenges and is at risk of environmental degradation. 

Although various parties have carried out mangrove planting before, many plants have not survived. 

“Many plants failed to survive due to improper methods, such as polybags being left in the plants. This caused many mangroves to fail to grow and become damaged,” Aldi explained.

For this activity, the UGM student team used a more planned approach to replace damaged mangroves and add new seedlings. The aim was to restore the coastal ecosystem and protect the area from abrasion.

This activity also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents, particularly the younger generation. 

Children from Terapung Village who participated in the mangrove planting activity received direct education on the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems for the future. 

“We ensured that all seedlings were planted without polybags, and the planting areas were adjusted to the characteristics of the local coastal environment,” said Aldi.

Arman appreciated the efforts of the UGM students and thanked the UMB team for joining this activity. 

“This initiative will leave a lasting legacy. Five to ten years from now, the mangroves planted today will become a habitat for various marine life in Terapung Village,” said Arman.

With great optimism, Arman hopes that the mangrove planting activity will be the first step in building a community-based environmental resilience system in Terapung Village. 

He also hopes that this approach can serve as a model to be implemented in other coastal areas.

Author: Agung Nugroho

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One of the activities carried out was organizing a seminar on Optimizing the Potential of the Creative Economy to Support the Tourism Sector in Taman District, Madiun City. 

The seminar took place on Wednesday (Jan. 22) in Taman District, Madiun City. Dr. Destha Titi Raharjana from UGM’s Center for Tourism Studies (Puspar UGM) was the speaker.

The Taman District Government and the Madiun City Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bappelitbangda) supported the seminar. 

Representatives from the Madiun City Bappelitbangda, the Madiun City Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office, the Madiun City Trade Office, the Madiun City Manpower Office, the Madiun City Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service Office, village heads, and representatives of creative economy entrepreneurs from all villages in Taman District attended the seminar.

Dr. Raharjana, a senior researcher at Puspar UGM, emphasized the urgency of developing the creative economy sector by identifying its landscape and opportunities and formulating strategic recommendations for strengthening the creative economy ecosystem in Taman District, Madiun City. 

According to him, past experiences could serve as a foundation for Taman District in developing its tourism area.

Tourism experiences that become a region’s identity can be achieved through collaboration among the region’s driving elements. Tourism players can collectively create unique experiences as the selling points of tourism in Taman District. 

“Create an ambiance, an atmosphere that gives Madiun City a unique sense, something different from others, because tourism is different,” she explained.

For Dr. Raharjana, creative destinations will be able to compete. This is because tourism development demands both knowledge and creativity.

Moreover, he envisions future tourism development leaning towards a creativity-based tourism model. This aligns with the economy’s shift towards the creative economy era. 

“The Madiun City Government has also issued Regional Regulation No. 11/2024 on the development of the Creative Economy. The key to the creative economy lies in ideas and creativity. Exploring, presentation, and packaging are sought in creative economy development. Packaging can be done thematically based on clusters through a regional approach,” he elaborated.

The seminar organized by the KKN-PPM students received a warm response from the community. They were enthusiastic about participating in the activity, especially the creative economy entrepreneurs from nine villages in Taman District. 

They even openly shared stories about their achievements in developing the creative economy and their hopes for the future regarding product marketing.

Dr. Raharjana hopes that this seminar can serve as a good starting point for the growth of the creative economy and support the acceleration of the tourism sector. 

The spirit of creativity and market expansion by creative economy entrepreneurs is expected to receive attention and follow-up assistance from related regional organizations.

“The development of the creative economy as part of the tourism sector’s growth in a region requires a platform, namely the tourism awareness group (pokdarwis). The formation of pokdarwis cannot be separated from identifying local champions as the driving figures,” Dr. Raharjana said.

The seminar’s sharing session concluded that the enthusiasm of the creative economy entrepreneurs from each village in Taman District was viewed positively. 

The optimization of pokdarwis’ function as a tourism institution, driven by the initiative of the community and tourism activists, is expected to serve as a platform for accelerating the creative economy.

Yusuf Asmadi, the Head of Taman District, was pleased with the positive response from Bappelitbangda representatives and tourism players. He welcomed and appreciated the seminar organized by UGM KKN-PPM students.

“Thank you to everyone involved in organizing the seminar as part of the UGM KKN-PPM work program. We hope that the four villages in Taman District that serve as the KKN-PPM’s focus—Manisrejo, Pandean, Banjarejo, and Mojorejo—will become triggers for connected tourism in Taman District. We will soon realize this, and all villages in Taman District will be connected into a single tourism package,” he said.

Febri, the person in charge of the Parekraf Seminar work program, stated that developing the creative economy is an important component of tourism development. 

The urgency of developing the creative economy lies in empowering entrepreneurs. It becomes a practical pillar in tourism development by providing “something to buy.” 

“It’s not just about buying a product, but also how tourists or visitors can buy an experience. This aligns with Taman District’s broader goal of developing its tourism sector,” he said.

He added that besides the major tourism theme, UGM KKN-PPM students in Madiun City also carry out various community assistance activities, including education, MSMEs, and other fields.

Author: Agung Nugroho

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Artikel Supporting Madiun Tourism, UGM KKN Students Promote Creative Economy Products 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.

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

They helped address challenges in providing livestock feed and introduced clean water processing technology to the communities.

In their service, UGM students also created a village profile website, updated village data, and provided training for MSME actors.

During the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of KKN-PPM activities in Kendal Village on Tuesday (Jan. 22), Dr. Arie Sujito, UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, welcomed and appreciated the efforts and works of UGM students. 

He expressed his happiness that the students’ work had already produced results that the community could feel after only three weeks. 

For him, KKN-PPM is the best way for students to practice interacting with rural communities. By engaging with the community, he said, students communicate with residents while delving into their various issues. 

“These students are learning to engage, learning to interact. This is UGM’s way of educating them to interact, so they learn from the community,” he said.

During the M&E, the UGM delegation listened to a presentation on KKN-PPM activities by Raden Razaq Farel Aryabima, Head of KKN PPM Unit 2024-JI060, and Ari Cahyono, the field supervising lecturer. 

In addition to discussions, the M&E participants had the opportunity to visit an MSME exhibition showcasing packaged food products such as Andini Onion Crackers, Asih Cassava Chips, Pacitan Bakpia, Banana Chips, and Ambar Arum Dried Bananas.

Punung District Head, Pudji Haryono, expressed his appreciation and gratitude, as the villages in his area had been selected for UGM’s KKN PPM activities. 

According to him, the KKN-PPM has truly assisted the development efforts in Punung District, particularly in the two villages, Sooka and Kendal. 

“UGM students have provided great value to the community, especially in terms of empowerment. However, we hope that what is left behind can be continued. No matter how much has been provided by these students, if there is no continuity, I feel it will eventually fade away,” he said.

Haryono also mentioned that Punung District has hosted KKN-PPM students for three consecutive years. The warm welcome from the community during these three years has been a testament to their contributions. 

In addition to carrying out their main program, the students also supported other activities, such as assisting with health services at local health posts (posyandu), especially for the elderly. 

“I’ve heard that they help with religious study sessions in the afternoon. These students teach Quranic studies, which is extraordinary, especially since this area still lacks teachers for Quranic instruction, and religious issues are very important because in building humans, we must not only focus on the physical but also the mental aspect,” he explained.

Sooka Village Head, Eko Wahyudi, expressed his gratitude for the presence of UGM students. 

He stated that the student’s presence greatly helped the residents of Sooka, especially in preparing livestock feed for the dry season. 

He noted that Sooka Village experiences a shortage of livestock feed during the dry season, while during the rainy season, there is an overabundance, which often goes to waste. 

“By introducing silage and fermented livestock feed production, the community can now prepare for feed availability. Additionally, they introduced technology to draw water from underground using solar power technology, but unfortunately, the cost is not cheap,” he said.

UGM’s KKN PPM Unit 2024-JI060 in Punung adopted the main theme of village data renewal in Sooka Village and Kendal Village, Punung District, Pacitan Regency. 

Several Senate Chairpersons and Secretaries attended this M&E event, including Professor Sulistiowati, Professor Hermin Indah Wahyuni, and Chair of Commission I, Professor Regina TC. Tandelilin. 

Also present were Chair and Secretary of Commission II, Professor T. Yoyok Wahyu Subroto, Dr. Raden Roro Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, Professor Ganis Lukmandaru, Dr. Ahmad Zubaidi, UGM’s Directorate of Community Service Secretary Dr. Djarot Heru Santoso, Sooka Village Head Eko Wahyudi, Kendal Village Head Bambang Widodo, and several other leaders.

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Artikel UGM KKN PPM Students Create Livestock Feed Fermentation and Introduce Clean Water Processing Technology in Pacitan pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

UGM’s Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) students, together with the local community, organized the Reggae Festival on Tuesday (Dec. 31) during the peak of the New Year’s Eve celebration. 

This event also served as an opportunity to strengthen ties between students and the community within the KKN-PPM UGM service program.

Reggae music is a favorite genre among Tidung Island’s residents. The Reggae Festival featured several reggae musicians and artists such as Sejedewe, Dhyo Haw, Rafi Gimbal, D’Blow, and OWL Jam. 

This year, the main star of the Reggae Festival was Rasta Ressy, a reggae band that has been performing since 2022. The festival’s uniqueness and authentic atmosphere make it one of the most anticipated events by the community each year.

KKN-PPM students, who were present in the local community, also assisted Tidung Island’s Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis). 

Bagas, a team member tasked with the Reggae Festival, expressed his joy at building the festival’s gateway. 

“It took three days to create the gateway. We designed it, and then the construction was assisted by other KKN members in collaboration with Pokdarwis,” said Bagas in a statement to reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

In addition to Bagas, Sarwindah, another team member, was entrusted with being the master of ceremonies for the Reggae Festival. This opportunity became an unforgettable experience for Sarwindah. 

“It was so much fun. I got to see the local culture here blending with the island’s atmosphere. The community’s enthusiasm was also very high,” she said.

Not only did they experience the local traditions and culture of Tidung Island, but the UGM KKN team also felt the closeness and warmth while mingling with the local community. 

After preparations were completed, the Reggae Festival opened on Tuesday (Dec. 31) with various performances. Interestingly, although the festival focused on one music genre, the local community still presented other traditional elements. 

One of these was a lenong performance by Lenong Ki Jambul Wulung and Lenong Bohay KB. Dangdut music accompanied performances leading up to the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Established in February 2024, Tidung Island’s Pokdarwis reflects the community’s awareness of tourism potential. Pokdarwis actively develops Tidung Island’s tourism, including management, maintenance, and the addition of new tourist spots. 

“When it comes to tourism, we definitely want to improve the community’s welfare. We hope that with Pokdarwis, we can attract even more tourists,” said Saiful, the Pokdarwis Chairperson.

The Reggae Festival, with its combination of traditional cultural elements and a unique music genre beloved by Tidung Island residents, is one way to attract tourists. The New Year’s celebration creates economic opportunities, especially for local residents who sell their goods during the festival.

Gatra, a vendor who has been selling in the area for around 11 years, stated that this event greatly helps the local economy. 

Not only tourists but also local residents purchased his goods during the festival’s festivities. He hopes that events like this will be held more frequently to attract tourists. 

“I also enjoy myself when there’s an event like this, so I can sell while listening to music,” said Gatra.

The Reggae Festival marks a good start for the work of Tidung Island’s Pokdarwis. They hope that with the presence of UGM students, the government will also support community programs to maximize tourism potential and improve the community’s welfare.

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These students, organized into 42 units, are stationed in 17 provinces, including Yogyakarta, Bali, West Java, Central Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, East Kalimantan, West Papua, Southeast Sulawesi, and Bengkulu. 

The program spans approximately 50 days and aims to empower communities through various initiatives.  

The symbolic deployment ceremony took place at the Joglo Hall of the UGM Center for Innovation and Creativity (GIK UGM) on Thursday, Dec. 19. The Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, and UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, donned KKN caps and attributes.  

Dr. Arie Sujito reported that the KKN-PPM Period 4 program involves 1,026 students in 42 units across 36 regencies, 42 districts, and 84 villages nationwide, including frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions such as Southwest Papua and Southeast Sulawesi. 

“The program ensures that even the most remote areas are reached,” he stated.  

Dr. Sujito encouraged students to learn from the communities they serve and prioritize their own and their team’s safety. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding against physical harm and protecting team members from sexual harassment. 

“Protect your peers and uphold the good name of UGM,” he advised.  

Deputy Minister Nezar Patria echoed Dr. Sujito’s sentiments, urging students to maintain self-control and foster teamwork. He described the KKN program as an opportunity to build collaborative, empathetic teams while applying their academic knowledge in real-life community settings. 

“You will demonstrate to the community that what you have learned can make a tangible difference,” he said.  

Patria shared his own experience of participating in KKN in Purworejo in 1994, encouraging students to carry on UGM’s legacy of dedication and service. He advised them to listen attentively to the community’s problems. 

“By doing so, you will learn how to find effective solutions for the community,” he noted.  

One student, Catharina, from the French Literature program at the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), expressed enthusiasm for being assigned to Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua. As part of the Sorai Waisai Raja Ampat Team, Catharina aims to enhance eco-tourism through forest preservation and marine conservation. 

“We hope this program will bring meaningful benefits and leave a lasting impression on the local community,” she concluded.  

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Artikel 1,026 UGM Students Deployed for Community Service in 17 Provinces pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This includes implementing ideas and initiatives to develop resource potential with the existing human capital in these areas.

Hafid Argama Putra, a student at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), shared his experience conducting KKN-PPM in Kampar Regency, Riau. 

His team focused on developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and tourism, which he considered crucial given Kampar’s numerous tourist attractions, such as ancient temples. 

One of the solutions proposed by the KKN-PPM team was packaging tourism destinations, developing homestay businesses, and promoting local MSME products.

According to Putra, their work programs were driven by the scattered locations of tourist spots, accommodations, and MSME stalls offering local snacks. 

To address this, the students proposed a tour package that allowed visitors to enjoy tourist sites alongside cultural products and souvenirs in one location.

“We wanted to add appeal beyond the tourist attractions themselves. For instance, having MSME stalls offering Kampar’s traditional foods at the attractions so visitors can enjoy multiple experiences at once,” Putra explained.

He further stated that the program would benefit various components of the tourism industry by increasing visitor interest in shopping. 

By bundling tourist destinations with MSMEs and homestays, tourists no longer need to travel far to enjoy Kampar’s different attractions.

A similar situation was found in Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi, which also boasts numerous fascinating tourist destinations. 

Muhammad Yadaikasalam Hibatulloh, another Fisipol UGM student, explained that Banggai has many natural attractions that are underexplored and less known to the public. 

To address this, Yadaikasalam, commonly called Yadek, and his team organized events such as a triathlon around these natural sites and a diving jamboree to showcase Banggai’s underwater beauty.

“The Diving Jamboree aimed to highlight underwater spots in Lopaneteng Village. The coral reefs and marine biodiversity here are abundant yet largely unexplored by the public and the government. We captured photo and video content through this jamboree to promote the area’s underwater tourism,” Yadek shared.

He added that their KKN team also initiated a program to improve houses to meet the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy standards, enabling locals to start homestay businesses.

“We created homestays as a form of entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help the community become self-reliant. They can generate income from their own resources,” Yadek concluded.

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Artikel UGM Students Speak of Community Service Experience in Kampar and Banggai pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This app allows farmers to access information and education related to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. The community service activities conducted by the KKN PPM UGM student team in Cingambul District, Majalengka Regency, West Java Province, from July to August in Ciranjeng Village, received recognition at the Majalengka Innovation Award held on Nov. 29. 

The UGM Cingambul Ngarumpul student team was awarded 1st place in the General Category.

Ariadna Kesuma Az-Zahra, or Rara as she is commonly known, is a member of the Cingambul Ngarumpul team. She expressed her gratitude that the local government appreciated the KKN activities conducted with her team in mid-2024. 

“We are very grateful. During our KKN activities, we introduced the use of DesaApps as one of our work programs,” Rara said in a statement to reporters on Thursday (Dec. 5).

The UGM Faculty of Agriculture student explained that in promoting this application, they collaborated with local extension officers or related agencies, who could become permanent companions for the farmers. Village officials conducted regular evaluations to assess the extent to which the application was being used and the benefits felt. 

This ensures that DesaApps can truly become an effective tool for the community. 

“We hope that DesaApps can continue to be optimally used by the community to increase productivity and the quality of agricultural products while also encouraging village independence through technological innovation. Lastly, we hope this program marks the beginning of agribusiness advancements in Ciranjeng Village,” said Rara.

During the activity, the KKN-PPM team explained the features of DesaApps to village officials and local farmers. 

Rara added that participants were also trained to use DesaApps, enabling them to utilize technology to enhance productivity and farming efficiency. The local government positively received this program.

Dr. Sudrajat, the team field supervisor, mentioned that farmers could use this application to exchange information about agriculture, such as the fertilizers used, weather conditions, and more. In addition, the app connects farmers with extension officers, allowing them to consult on agricultural matters.

He explained that DesaApps was developed by UGM’s Faculty of Agriculture. The UGM Rector officially launched the app on Dec. 19, 2016, and can be downloaded through the Google Play Store. 

During the KKN-PPM Period 2 of 2024, the Cingambul Ngarumpul team, based in Cingambul District, introduced this digital app as a platform for communication, discussion, and education for farmers, extension officers, and experts in the agro-complex field.

According to Dr. Sudrajat, after UGM KKN PPM activities, the development and continuation of the DesaApps program are directed toward the independent use of the app by the village community and relevant agencies. 

“In the future, farmer groups and village officials are expected to actively utilize the app’s features to record farming activities, engage in discussions with extension officers, and obtain information and education related to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries,” he concluded.

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