Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta Provincial Government, Social Agency and Kulon Progo regency government have done Monitoring and Evaluation of UGM Student Community Service in Gerbosari village, Samigaluh sub-district, Kulon Progo regency, on Wednesday (2/8).
“We’re here in order to do monitoring of UGM Student Community Service, hopefully the programme can benefit greatly to the progress of the Indonesian people. UGM continues to cooperate with various parties, including local government, industry and private sector,” said Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng, in the village hall of Gerbosari.
The Rector suggested the students to stick to the sustainable development whilst conducting rural development. “Development has to be environmentally friendly, ensuring availability of natural resources in the area to be utilised whilst not damaging the environment,” said the Rector.
According to the Rector, Student Community Service themed Independent Prosperous Village is an effort to accelerate the handling of poverty issues integratedly that is initiated by higher education, Social Affairs Ministry, and local government of Kulon Progo in 2013, signed by an MoU between 15 universities and the Ministry. The program will finish in 2019.
In that event the Rector, accompanied by expert staff in the provincial government, Drs. Bayu Haryono, M.Si, expert staff in Kulon Progo local government, Jumanto, S.H., and Head of Social Agency, Drs. Eka Prayata., together launched a local product of excellence, Kopi Suralaya (Suralaya coffee).
Expert staff Bayu Haryono, representing Vice-Governor Sri Paku Alam X, appreciated the Monitoring and Evaluation event of the Student Community Service, so if there are discrepancies or slowing down of the programme, they can be sorted out sooner and be improved. The students wiil also be able to develop their competencies and apply their sciences for empowering the local people.
Expert staff Jumanto, representing Kulon Progo Regent, was appreciative with the launching of the community programme and the coffee product. Independent village is one of development targets of Kulon Progo, which is to empower the people and give opportunities for them to engage in natural resources management.
“The work of the students have motivated and driven the local people to think creatively, be persistent and competitive as well as independent in the Independent Prosperous Village programme,” he said.
“The Samigaluh sub-district that lies on the plateu is suitable for coffee cultivation. Suralaya coffee that is produced here is processed traditionally using organic fertilisers that it offers authentic taste,” said Jumanto.
After the event, attendants observed craft, food and cultural products made by the local people and the UGM students that were displayed in an exhibition in the village hall of Gerbosari.