Mataram, University of Mataram – The Research and Community Service Institute of the University of Mataram (LPPM Unram), officially released students of the Real Work Study (KKN) for Village Community Empowerment (PMD) spread across Lombok and Sumbawa Islands. The release, which was held on Monday (23/12) at the Rectorate Field, marked the first step in the contribution of Unram students in helping manage village potential in an effort to empower rural communities.

This year, KKN PMD Unram carries the big theme “Product Development and Digital Marketing Oriented to Green and Blue Economy”. A total of 2,131 students spread across 213 villages were deployed to run programs that support the sustainable management of natural resources. The focus of activities includes community empowerment in developing environmentally friendly-based local products and utilizing digital technology for marketing.

On this occasion, the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. accompanied by Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana, M.Si.; Vice Rector III for Student Affairs and Alumni, Dr. Sujita, S.T., M.T.; Vice Rector IV for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Systems, Prof. Akmaluddin, S.T., M.Sc.(Eng), Ph.D..

In addition, the Head of LPPM Unram, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr; Head of the Center for Cooperation and KKN, Dr. Ir. Misbahuddin, ST., MT.IPU; Secretary of KKN Services, Suprayanti Martia Dewi, SP., M.Si.; Head of General Subdivision, Roni Paslan, S.Adm.; and the entire Lecturers Assisting KKN Activities.

Starting this activity, Dr. Misbahuddin reported, “The distribution of the 2024 PMD KKN participants of the University of Mataram covers various districts / cities in West Nusa Tenggara with a total of 2,131 students. East Lombok Regency is the location with the most participants, with a total of 1,015 students spread across 102 villages. In West Lombok Regency, there are 435 students who will run the program in 43 villages, while in Central Lombok Regency, 371 students will be deployed to 37 villages. North Lombok Regency is the place of service for 290 students spread across 29 villages. In addition, Dompu Regency and Bima Regency will each receive 10 students who contribute to 1 village. This distribution reflects the university’s efforts in reaching out to various regions to support green and blue economy-based development.”

In order to accelerate village-based development, the KKN PMD program aims to empower natural potential in a sustainable manner, such as forest products, marine products, and environmentally friendly agriculture. In addition, integration with other themes such as tourism villages, zero waste, and digital villages, is expected to create synergy to build resilient and innovative village economic ecosystems. With the active involvement of students, it is expected that the villages that become KKN locations can experience positive transformations in the management of local resources that have an impact on the welfare of the community in a sustainable manner.

Rector of Unram, Prof. Bambang in his remarks while officially releasing Unram’s KKN PMD students said, “Today, a total of 2,131 students of the University of Mataram are released to carry out the Community Learning and Empowerment Community Service Program (KKN PMD) in 2024. This program is not just an academic obligation, but a tangible manifestation of the contribution of the University of Mataram in empowering rural communities. With a focus on developing national green and blue economy programs based on digital marketing, students are expected to be the driving force for sustainable development in the target area.”

Furthermore, the Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture emphasized, “I hope you are able to maintain the good name of the University of Mataram during KKN. Be agents of change who provide innovative solutions for rural communities, while improving the university’s reputation at the national and global levels. The results of this program are expected to be a real contribution to society and the development of science, as part of our steps towards Indonesia Emas 2045. I hope you can carry out this task with dedication and responsibility.”

Students participating in the PMD KKN will be placed in 213 villages for 45 days with assistance from field supervisors. One of the students, Elma, expressed her enthusiasm to be directly involved in this program.

“This is an opportunity for us to learn from the community while making a real contribution,” she said.

With the spirit of collaboration and innovation, KKN PMD Unram 2024 is expected to be one of the leading programs in supporting sustainable village development.

In addition, the Head of LPPM Unram added, “In the release of KKN PMD students at the University of Mataram in 2024, we also announced a strategic collaboration with the University of Jember. This collaboration aims to expand the impact of community service, especially in West Nusa Tenggara, with a focus on developing the potential of rural communities based on the green and blue economy.”

Through this collaboration, students from both universities will work together to implement programs that support village community empowerment, utilize natural resources sustainably, and promote local economic potential through innovative and digital marketing-based approaches. We hope this collaboration will bring great benefits to the community and make a real contribution to regional development.