Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) Universitas Gadjah Mada handed over certificate of UGM Field Practice Program (KKN UGM) to nine students of Ehime University Japan. The handover was conducted in Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM, on Wednesday (15/8), attended by Dean, Prof. Dr. Ir. Djagal Wiseso Marseno, M. Agr, Vice Dean, Dr. Ir. Supriyadi, M.Sc, and Ir. Suharno, M.Eng., M.Eng.Sc, Manager of KKN PPM, Dr. drh. Irkham Widiyono, and students of the Faculty.
The graduation certificate serves as a sign that the Ehime students have done community service at Wonolelo village, Sawangan, Magelang for 16 days, from 2 to 17 August 2012. They not only planted 500 Neem trees, but also disseminated the program on mitigation of Merapi eruption.
Joining the students of KKN PPM UGM Unit 40, Ehime students stayed in Wonolelo village, sharing experiences on ways to address catastrophic eruption of Merapi. They provided knowledge of how to cope and deal with disasters as they learned from the experience in Japan. In addition, they get the village children play while introducing origami and giving a lecture on Japan.
"I am very pleased with this collaboration, with the knowledge and activities that are conducted, Ehime University students wanted to contribute to the village community. The students can take advantage of this knowledge for the future," Dr. drh. Irkham Widiyono said in his remarks.
Irkham Widiyono hoped the experience can be used for future career. In addition, the experience can be developed and transmitted to the Japanese people.
Djagal Wiseso Marseno gave high appreciation to the nine Ehime University students who were willing to stay among the village community. They are considered to be able to adapt and learn in the community. "As the next generation in the future, this experience is very valuable," he said.
The Dean said the certificate means that Ehime University students have passed the selection and are able to show the relation of living side by side with the villagers. For adapting to the way of life and a new culture quickly is not easy. "May this be your capital, and tell your experience to your friends about this program," he said.
Although once being hospitalized due to different food, Thositaka Akebi, one Ehime University student, said she was happy to follow the service learning program in Wonolelo. She and her other friends had been introduced to farming and cultural learning. Moreover, the introduction of Javanese cuisine menus is a very new experience to her. "I am very pleased and I want to go back there, I took the children of Wonolelo to play and make origami," she said, impressed.