Mataram, University of Mataram – University of Mataram (Unram) and University of National Development “Veteran” (UPN) Yogyakarta held a meeting in order to strengthen the implementation of Real Work Study (KKN) involving both universities in various research-based programs and community empowerment. The meeting took place in the Head Room of LPPM Unram on November 15, 2024.

Present at this meeting were Dr. Wahyu Dwi Lestari, S.Pd., M.T. as Head of the Research Center, and Sugiarto, S.Kom., M.Kom. as Coordinator of the Digital Business Study Program at UPN Veteran Yogyakarta. The meeting discussed in depth the various potentials of KKN cooperation that can be developed between the two universities.

Unram’s research focuses on five main clusters, including the food sector focusing on the Sembalun area and the Rinjani Geopark, fisheries, especially shrimp, and animal science with innovations in cattle feed based on lamtoro; the health sector related to medicines; the energy sector with the development of ethanol from sugar; the tourism and environmental fields in the Mandalika area; and the social and humanities fields. There is also research potential regarding the use of geomagnetic data to predict earthquakes.

The Head of LPPM Unram, Prof. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. emphasized the importance of collaboration across disciplines in research development at Unram. “To optimize research results, we need to form solid scientific groups. Research funding at Unram is competitive and only funds proposals with significant value,” he said.

During the meeting, Dr. Wahyu Dwi Lestari, S.Pd., M.T. as Head of the Research Center of UPN Veteran Yogyakarta highlighted the importance of structured research development for the 2025-2029 period.

“At UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, we are preparing to develop a more efficient research structure with the addition of a quality assurance division which is essential and currently still does not exist,” she concluded.

In addition, UPN Veteran Yogyakarta also highlighted the strategic role of KKN in community economic empowerment, especially in the field of entrepreneurship. “UPN has an entrepreneurship unit, students who take entrepreneurship courses have the opportunity to develop KKN programs that focus on improving the community’s economy, which eventually leads to digital marketing through the training provided,” explained Sugiarto, Coordinator of the Digital Business Study Program at UPN Veteran Yogyakarta.

Through this program, students are trained to utilize digital platforms such as Instagram in promoting local products which are then exhibited through KKN activities. “For promotion, UPN Veteran Yogyakarta uses the Instagram platform and continues to the UPN platform itself which comes from the students themselves who come from entrepreneurship, so every activity ends with an exhibition,” he concluded.

Through this opportunity, the two universities also discussed strategies to maximize the marketing of food products, through digital technology. One of the strategies initiated is digital marketing training that involves the community and local businesses to expand market reach.

This collaboration is expected to have a positive impact on improving the quality of research and community empowerment through KKN programs that are relevant to local needs. In the future, both universities agree to continue to strengthen this synergy in order to produce innovations and solutions that benefit the community and the world of education.