Mataram, University of Mataram – After 45 days of fully dedicated Village Community Empowerment Real Work Program (KKN PMD) students completed their service, the Research and Community Service Institute of Universitas Mataram (LPPM Unram) officially withdrew KKN PMD students spread across Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. The withdrawal of KKN PMD students was conducted through Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

This student withdrawal marks an important achievement in village empowerment efforts with a focus on the green, blue and creative economy as a step towards sustainable development.

The Unram KKN PMD program this time involves 1,313 students spread across 131 villages on Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. During the service period, the students worked closely with local communities to implement initiatives aimed at strengthening the local economy with a sustainable approach.

Head of the Center for Cooperation and KKN LPPM Unram, Dr. Ir. Misbahuddin, ST., MT., IPU. reported that the distribution of KKN PMD students for the 2024 odd period included West Lombok Regency with 244 students in 24 villages, North Lombok Regency with 201 students in 20 villages, East Lombok with 452 students in 45 villages, Central Lombok with 289 students in 29 villages, West Sumbawa with 55 students in 5 villages, and Bima City with 77 students in 8 villages.

“As the Head of the LPPM KKN Center at the University of Mataram, I would like to express my appreciation and pride for the achievements made by the Unram PMD KKN students during the 45 days of implementation on Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. This withdrawal marks a great success in implementing a program that focuses on village empowerment with full support for the green, blue and creative economy,” said Dr. Misbahuddin.

In an effort to support the green economy, students conducted various activities such as counseling on organic farming and waste management using the principles of sustainable agriculture. The blue economy approach is also applied through the development of marine and coastal potential, including training programs for nutritious and economically valuable seafood-based products.

Head of LPPM Unram, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. said that KKN PMD Unram has produced outputs in the form of scientific articles, village potential profile books, and mass media publications on green and blue economy. This program is expected to contribute to the achievement of Unram’s Main Performance Indicators (IKU), strengthen Unram’s reputation in research and community service, and support Unram’s mission for sustainable development with the principles of green, blue and creative economy.

“ The University of Mataram, through the KKN PMD program, believes that this collaboration is in line with the national strategy to achieve sustainable development. By involving students in sustainability-oriented initiatives, it can contribute to the achievement of development targets set by the government and create a sustainable positive impact on rural communities,” he explained.

During their service, Unram’s KKN PMD students worked hard to empower the local community by actively involves them in every step. From training sessions to project implementation, close collaboration between students, mentors and communities is key to success. Tangible results of the program include improved quality of local products, more efficient management of natural resources, and increased awareness regarding the importance of sustainable development.

The Head of Selelos Village, Dr. Abdul Atsar, S.H., M.H. gave his testimony regarding the impact of Unram’s KKN PMD program, “As the Head of Selelos Village, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the role of KKN PMD Unram students in developing the plantation potential of our village.”

“Their involvement is very helpful for us, especially in optimizing the plantation sector, which is one of the backbones of the village economy. The students’ initiative and expertise in plantation management have positively impacted Selelos Village, which is newly established, and accelerated our strive towards economic independence. Their contribution has not only increased productivity, but also provided valuable knowledge that we will utilize in the long term,” he explained.

With the end of this program, Unram’s KKN PMD students have not only left a positive footprint on Lombok and Sumbawa Island but also instilled a passion for sustainable development that integrates green, blue and creative economies. The local community is now better equipped to continue the initiative and achieve a more sustainable and prosperous future.