A number of students from the Public Administration Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Jember have successfully completed the ‘Abdi Desa Berkarya’ (Creative Village Service) program in Klatakan Village, Kendit District, Situbondo Regency. This three-day activity, held from December 13 to 15, 2024, aimed to provide tangible contributions to the village community and implement the knowledge gained during their studies.
During the ‘Abdi Desa Berkarya’ program, students were involved in various community empowerment programs. Some of these included training on transparent and accountable village financial management, mentoring local MSMEs to improve productivity and marketing, and socializing the importance of environmental conservation. In addition, students also assisted in improving village infrastructure such as building footpaths or other public facilities.
“This activity is very beneficial for us as students. We not only gain firsthand experience in applying the knowledge we have learned, but we can also interact directly with the village community. We hope that the programs we implement can have a positive impact on the progress of Klatakan Village,” said Drs. Supranoto, M.Si., PhD., as the head of the ‘Abdi Desa Berkarya’ activity.
The Head of Klatakan Village welcomed the students and appreciated their contributions. “We are very grateful for the presence of students from the Public Administration Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Jember. The programs they carry out are very helpful in our efforts to build a more advanced and independent village. Hopefully, this cooperation can continue in the future,” he said.
It is hoped that this ‘Abdi Desa Berkarya’ program can be an example for other students to also participate in village development. Through activities like this, it is hoped that a strong synergy will be established between universities and village communities, so that innovative solutions can be generated to address various problems faced by villages.
The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Jember is committed to continuing to encourage students to be involved in community service activities. It is hoped that activities such as ‘Abdi Desa Berkarya’ can become an integral part of the learning curriculum, so that students not only have strong academic competencies but also have high social concern.