YOGYAKARTA – Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Hatta Rajasa, said his ministry will hold a Community Empowerment Program Field Practice (KKN PPM) to support poverty alleviation before the end of MDGs 2015. The government has targeted in the year 2014 the poverty rate can be decreased up to 8-10 per cent and unemployment decreased by 5-6 percent. "I expect this KKN really brings us to the importance of achieving the MDGs by 2015," Hatta Rajasa said in his speech when releasing 5,588 students for the KKN program at Grha Sabha Pramana, Thursday (28/6).
Hatta Rajasa said through KKN program, students can practice their knowledge directly in the community, implement empowerment and connect economic resources with the business world. "Our education aims for society. It understands the culture of the community, finds out what is needed, and knows the resources they own that can be used to formulate the right policy," he said.
On that occasion, Hatta also invited students to support entrepreneurship program currently run by the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs through small loans program. "Approximately, we disburse 30 trillion to the public through banks in form of non-collateral loans," he said.
UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, said that UGM sends 5,588 KKN PPM students to be placed in 23 provinces, consisting of 47 regencies outside Java and 38 regencies/ cities in Java. Dozens of foreign students from 15 countries also participate in this activity, including from Australia, Hongkong, Japan, Germany, and South Africa. "This KKN becomes part of mutual learning, not between Indonesian students anymore but also foreign students to empower people," he said.
For three months, the students carry out activities under 16 themes, such as the development of social and cultural life based on local wisdom and national character, education, political and legal awareness, agriculture and animal husbandry, environmental management, renewable energy, IT, and responsive and disaster mitigation. "The topics that are presented are quite varied. Good luck and get valuable experience!" the Rector said.