Mataram, University of Mataram – The Research Institute for Society of Universitas Mataram (LPPM Unram) released 1,775 students of the Real Work Study (KKN) Village Community Empowerment (KKN PMD), Disaster Resilient Village (KKN Destana), and KKN International for the December-January gasal period 2023/2024, at the Unram Rectorate field on Tuesday (19/12).

KKN students for the December-January 2023/2024 period totaled 1,775 students spread across 179 villages on Lombok Island. The 1,775 KKN students are divided into 179 groups with details of KKN placement including 252 students placed in 25 villages in West Lombok, 272 students spread across 27 villages in North Lombok, 797 students spread across 81 villages in East Lombok, and 454 students spread across 46 villages in Central Lombok.

The Rector of the University of Mataram, who in this case was represented by the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation and Information Systems Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc. (Eng), Ph.D. in his speech expressed his hope to all KKN students.

“We as university leaders hope that this period’s KKN students can reflect on the previous KKN period and can always bring the good name of the campus in the community. This year’s KKN is more special because it coincides with the 2024 Election, so we hope that you can always maintain your independence as a student and use the knowledge gained during college as a provision when you go down to serve the community. Learn how to modify theoretical things in field and practical things in the field that do not exist theoretically in the theory so that they can be implemented during KKN, “he said.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr as Chairman of LPPM Unram in his report said that this period of KKN was more special than usual.

“This period of KKN is more special than usual because it raises a strategic theme, the KKN special theme of Disaster Resilient Village (Destana) followed by 300 students who are divided into 30 groups of activities in 30 disaster-prone villages with the aim of providing training and education on best practices for disaster mitigation and adaptation,” he said.

Other themes in KKN Unram this period are compiled based on the results of identification and surveys carried out by KKN groups with guidance from Field Supervisors (DPL), including the themes of Sustainable Agriculture, Sanitation and Environment, Green Energy, UMKM Empowerment etc., and are tailored to the needs and priorities chosen with the village community.

There is an International Student engagement Program (KKN International) which will be followed by students from Fukushima Medical University with KKN locations around the Penyangga, Mandalika spread across several villages together with students at Unram. As part of the International Student engagement Program, an International Mini Symposium will be held on December 20, 2023 with the theme of Health Education. This forum discusses basic public health with speakers from Fukushima Medical University and lecturers from the Faculty of Medicine Unram.

Head of the Regional Disaster Management Office (BPBD) Prov. NTB Ir. Ahmadi admitted that he was enthusiastic and welcomed the theme of KKN Unram this time.

“We are very grateful to the Unram academics for taking the theme of Disaster Resilient Villages. Our region is hit by approximately 13 types of disasters, both natural and non-natural disasters. We have been hit by earthquakes resulting in 250,000 damaged residential buildings, hit by Covid-19 which has a tremendous impact on the economy, so that through this KKN students will carry out mapping of potential disasters, disaster management planning and guidance on disaster management and how to help the community starting from…