Yogyakarta, August 4, 2025 – Muhammad Hafidz Haikal Amirza, commonly known as Haikal, a 2022 cohort student of the Cultural Anthropology Study Program at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is currently participating in the Community Service and Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) UGM Period II of 2025 in Bantane Village, Rainis District, Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. This region is one of Indonesia’s outermost points, directly bordering Davao del Sur, Philippines, making it a strategic yet challenging location for community service programs.

Haikal is part of the KKN Merintis Rainis team in the education sector, consisting of seven students (3 males, 4 females). Throughout the program, all members reside together in the house of the Head of Bantane Village. The presence of the KKN Merintis Rainis team has been warmly welcomed by the villagers, marked by a spirit of mutual cooperation. From the onset, the community exhibited a strong sense of kinship, with men voluntarily erecting a welcoming tent and women preparing meals to share. Such communal spirit is also evident in various village activities, from birthday celebrations and weddings to traditional and religious events.

During nearly two months of service, Haikal focused on the education and socio-cultural sectors, aligning with his background in anthropology. He and his team designed and implemented various activities, including cultural classes for village children and nature-based character education or nature schools. To support the transformation of primary education in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas, Haikal and his team also facilitated multimedia and information technology training for teachers at SDK Torsina Bantane. This program aims to enhance educators’ capacity to deliver creative and adaptive learning in line with technological advancements.

Additionally, Haikal contributed to the establishment of the Bantane Village Youth Organization (Karang Taruna) as a platform to harness the potential of the village’s younger generation. He was also involved in reorganizing the school library, assisting in teaching at both elementary and high school levels, and supporting resident data collection through the Siga Mobile application, which is part of a technology-based public service system.

An output of the KKN Merintis Rainis program is a study titled “Borders as Social Spaces: Exploration of Identity and Marginalization (Case Study of Bantane Village, Rainis District, Talaud Islands Regency).” This research highlights the unique social dynamics and cultural identity of the Bantane community.

During his stay in Bantane, Haikal observed various interesting and distinctive aspects. He noted that the spirit of mutual cooperation remains vibrant, nightly gatherings serve as warm social interactions, and strong tolerance exists among residents. The clean, pollution-free environment, clear skies, and abundance of coconut trees characterize the village landscape. However, challenges such as frequent power outages and limited communication signals are part of the daily reality.

Haikal’s activities during KKN also directly align with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through educational assistance and technology training for teachers and village children, Haikal contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and quality education for all. His involvement in resident data collection, library revitalization, and the formation of the village youth organization also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by strengthening social and institutional capacities at the local level.

Furthermore, by choosing a service location in a 3T area, Haikal and the KKN team strive to promote equitable development and service access, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by reaching regions that have been less accessible to development. The successful collaboration between students, village government, schools, and the community also reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in sustainable development.

Haikal also conveyed a message of encouragement to his peers at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM who will participate in the next KKN period:

“Best wishes to FIB friends who will undertake KKN. It will be a very valuable experience for you not just about service, but also about how we learn and integrate with the existing community. Use the knowledge you’ve gained on campus to make an impact and contribute to Indonesian society.”

[Public Relations FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Cirebon, 27/7/2025 – As part of their community engagement initiative, students from Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Community Service and Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) carried out a waste management program in Getrakmoyan Village, Pangenan District, Cirebon Regency, West Java. The program, titled “Eco Paving Education for a Sustainable Environment,” aims to address plastic pollution through practical, community-based solutions.

This interdisciplinary initiative brought together Anisah A’bidah, a student from the Arabic Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (Social Sciences track), and Sandhi Vardhana Rally, a student from the Civil Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering (Science and Technology track). Conducted on July 19 and 26, 2025, the program empowered local communities through a hands-on workshop on producing environmentally friendly paving blocks made from recycled plastic waste. The main beneficiaries were the village government and the local Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes), identified as key partners for ensuring the program’s sustainability.

The project began with a survey to map the potential and volume of plastic waste in the area, providing a foundation for developing technical training materials and implementation strategies. The team then collaborated with local leaders and BUMDes representatives to finalize the execution plan. All necessary tools and materials — including used drums, firewood, and plastic waste — were sourced independently by the team, while the paving molds were purchased by the students to support the production process.

The program received a warm welcome from Getrakmoyan Village Head, Mr. Junandi, who praised the initiative as both innovative and unprecedented in the village. “We greatly appreciate this activity, which offers practical benefits and could become a long-term solution to our plastic waste problem. We hope the results can not only be used for public facilities but also be developed further by the village or BUMDes as a viable economic product,” he stated.

With strong community involvement and institutional support from the village government, the project is expected to serve as a sustainable waste management model at the local level. Furthermore, this initiative contributes directly to the realization of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Through collaboration, education, and innovation, UGM students are helping communities turn waste into opportunity — creating not only paving blocks, but also pathways toward a more sustainable future.

Author: Anisah A’bidah

Bandung, July 20, 2025 — Students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participating in the KKN-PPM Sekocihampelas program conducted a creative community empowerment initiative titled “Reusing Eggshell Waste as Calligraphy Decorations.” The workshop, held at Bening Saguling Foundation in Cihampelas, West Bandung Regency, engaged local Karang Taruna youth in transforming everyday waste into meaningful works of art.

The activity began with a presentation on the potential of eggshells as recyclable art materials, followed by a hands-on session where participants crafted calligraphy pieces using the discarded shells. This initiative served not only as a creative outlet but also as an environmental awareness campaign, encouraging responsible household waste management through artistic reuse.

This program was spearheaded by the KKN-PPM UGM student team and reflects the core values of the Arabic Study Program, which envisions language and art as powerful tools for community engagement. During the practical session, participants created a variety of calligraphy designs, including names, Islamic expressions, and animal motifs like birds. The energy and enthusiasm from the youth showcased their strong interest in art and sustainable practices.

Nur Kumalatuz Zahroh, the student unit coordinator and lead organizer, expressed hope that this initiative would serve as a catalyst for sustainable waste management habits in the community.

“We hope that this activity not only teaches participants to create art but also raises awareness about environmental conservation. What was once discarded waste, like eggshells, now has artistic and economic value,” she explained.

The program actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by creatively repurposing organic waste into useful and aesthetic products. Furthermore, it aligns with SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as the activity was conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders—Karang Taruna youth and the Bening Saguling Foundation—underscoring the importance of community-based partnerships in promoting sustainability.

More than just an art workshop, this initiative became a collaborative platform for education, environmental awareness, and community empowerment. Through this participatory and cross-sector approach, UGM’s KKN-PPM students successfully delivered a program that combined creativity, sustainability, and local engagement.

Author: Nur Kumalatuz Zahroh

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through its Department of Archaeology and the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), returned cultural heritage items to the Warloka community in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (14/7). This significant event involved the handover of approximately 40 kilograms of artifacts that had been excavated 15 years ago and stored at UGM for research purposes. The artifacts are categorized into 15 types, including jewelry, tools, ceramics, pottery, coins, and the remains of three ancestral individuals.

This initiative is part of a repatriation process that emphasizes the ethical responsibility within the academic world. Beyond the physical return of items, this repatriation reflects a critical reflection on the role of researchers and the necessity of sharing research benefits equitably. The act of returning these artifacts is a significant step towards acknowledging cultural diversity and the rights of local communities.

Dr. Tular Sudarmadi, the head of the repatriation team, highlighted that cultural heritage should not be managed through exploitative approaches rooted in colonial practices. He emphasized the need for academics to build equitable relationships with the communities that are part of their research subjects. Dr. Sudarmadi expressed a moral imperative to return these artifacts to the Warloka community, reinforcing the importance of civil society partnerships in preserving cultural heritage.

In addition, Dr. Rucitarahma Ristiawan from FIB noted that the return of these artifacts is a crucial part of the struggle for epistemic justice. He stated that this action is not merely symbolic but reflects a transformation in academic practices towards a more ethical direction. He stressed the importance of recognizing the value of local knowledge systems and providing space for communities to narrate their own histories.

The repatriation process also involved UGM’s postgraduate archaeology student, Oto Alcianto, and received support from art crime and criminology researcher Dr. Emiline Smith from the University of Glasgow. Dr. Smith views this repatriation as a symbol of a significant shift that encourages academics to be more aware of their ethical responsibilities. She also emphasized the need for government support in helping institutions manage the respectful storage and return of cultural heritage.

The remains of the ancestors are planned to be reburied according to the customs and beliefs of the Warloka community. Meanwhile, other cultural artifacts will be temporarily stored at the local Tourism Office until a dedicated exhibition space in Warloka is completed. The local government and community plan to use this momentum to enhance tourist education regarding local history and the importance of collaborative research in preserving cultural heritage.

The Warloka community has expressed its commitment to safeguarding and protecting the archaeological findings in the area. This event not only marks a significant milestone in the repatriation of cultural heritage but also serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and community engagement in the preservation of history.

As UGM continues to develop institutional guidelines for the management of archaeological excavation artifacts, this initiative stands as a pioneering effort in Indonesia. It highlights the need for ethical practices in academia and the importance of civil society partnerships in fostering a more inclusive approach to cultural heritage management.

Source: ugm.ac.id
Photos: Dok. Research Team

Who says Arabic Literature students only deal with texts and Middle Eastern culture? Faris Zaky, an active student from the Arabic Literature program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), proves otherwise. He has successfully demonstrated that a background in the humanities is not a barrier to making a real contribution in the professional world.

Starting with a desire to fill his semester break with productive activities, Faris discovered an internship opportunity. Upon reading that one of the positions available was in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), he immediately felt intrigued, even though he initially hesitated, thinking his major was not directly related. With the courage to try, he decided to seize the opportunity. This decision turned out to be fruitful. He was accepted and began an internship experience that introduced him to various community dynamics.

Faris’s interest in social issues is not new. Since the beginning of his studies, he has been active in various community activities such as Ikmasa Mengabdi, Gemilang Desa, Ramadhan di Kampus, and being part of the organizing team for PIONIR Gadjah Mada 2024. From these experiences, his sensitivity to social issues and planning skills have grown, which are now essential assets in his role in CSR.

Despite coming from an Arabic Literature background, Faris found that many skills he acquired during his studies are highly useful in the workplace. The writing and communication skills he honed during his studies became his main assets in conveying information to the community in a clear and understandable manner. Additionally, his experience in managing organizational programs equipped him with the ability to accept criticism, respond to problems with solutions, and prepare public communication materials with appealing visuals—such as graphic design and video editing—all of which support CSR work in the field.

During his internship, Faris was involved in various community development programs covering agriculture, livestock, health, tourism, and the economy. One of the programs he is most proud of is the development of the Bina Mandiri Farmer Group in Pulosari Village through the innovation of biodigester technology that produces bio slurry. This product was then developed into Bio Slurry Plus, an original innovation from PLTP Gunung Salak that has not been implemented elsewhere. This program has proven to increase productivity in the agricultural and livestock sectors and is one of the reasons why the CSR program of PLTP Gunung Salak received the Gold award—the highest level in the national CSR program assessment.

In carrying out his role, Faris also faced challenges, especially in changing the habits of the community that were not entirely appropriate, particularly in agriculture and livestock. He and his team chose to educate gradually, consistently, and with a persuasive approach so that the messages of change could be accepted without offending deeply rooted habits. Throughout this process, Faris upheld local values and culture. He believes that the principle of “where the earth is stepped, there the sky is upheld” is key to building community trust, especially when working in an environment rich in cultural values, such as the area around the Halimun Gunung Salak National Park, even though the program’s target area is outside the conservation zone.

This internship experience has transformed Faris’s perspective on the relationship between literature, social issues, and the professional world. He realized that the knowledge he studied, which he initially thought was only relevant in academic or cultural studies, actually has a close connection to practical needs in the field. Literature is not just about texts; it is also about understanding social contexts, building empathy, and effectively conveying ideas—elements that are crucial in community development. For him, the worlds of literature and work do not oppose each other; rather, they support and strengthen one another.

After completing his internship program, Faris is determined to continue engaging in social activities and deepen his knowledge in community development. He also wants to explore the skills he has honed, such as event planning, design, video editing, and writing, which he believes are highly needed in the social work sector. Faris Zaky’s story is a testament that the courage to step forward, consistent interest, and adaptability can lead students from any discipline to make a real impact on society—even within state-owned enterprises.