The KKN PPM UGM monitoring and evaluation (monev) team visited the Pacitan Regent’s Office.
The visit, led by UGM Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, along with members of Commissions 1 and 2 of UGM’s Academic Senate (SA), was welcomed by Pacitan Regent Indrata Nur Bayuaji and local government officials on Tuesday (Jan. 21).
During the visit, discussions focused on development issues in Pacitan Regency. Several challenges remain in Pacitan’s efforts to improve the welfare of its residents.
The region’s geographic advantages and natural tourism potential have not yet been fully optimized. Therefore, the Pacitan Regency Government is open to UGM experts advancing development, particularly in the tourism sector.
Indrata Nur Bayuaji noted that the relationship with UGM has been positive. One indicator of this is the large number of Pacitan government employees who are UGM graduates.
“Our target is for some to pursue doctoral programs at UGM. There’s still much work to be done in Pacitan, as reflected by our geographic conditions. The arrival of UGM experts and KKN students is certainly very helpful for the Pacitan Regency Government,” he said.
Bayuaji believes that the current era is one of collaborative work. Building Pacitan, he said, requires input from various sources.
“To develop Pacitan, we need input from Pacitan residents and everyone. Collaborative work is key, and we are open to contributions from anyone,” he added.
Dr. Sujito mentioned that KKN PPM UGM has been implemented in 35 provinces across Indonesia. Issues usually need to be addressed in each KKN location.
KKN PPM in Pacitan has been ongoing since 2018, and the student placements in Punung District have varied.
“Thank you for the warm reception from the community. The Pacitan local government has received KKN well,” he explained.
He added that in every KKN implementation, UGM collaborates with alumni and both public and private local universities. UGM’s principle in conducting KKN is to collaborate with various stakeholders.
“We present programs such as strengthening the creative economy (MSMEs), developing local potential, and in this area, focusing on geopark development, updating regional data, and more,” he explained.
Dr. Sujito hopes that through KKN, UGM students can identify village potential that is aligned with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).
He also hopes that the Pacitan Regency Government will assist UGM students, enabling them to discuss theories and understand the reality on the ground.
“The work done by UGM students is expected to empower the community. We extend our thanks to the regent and the SKPD team, as past experiences have shown that the growing development of rural communities encourages UGM to continuously collaborate,” he said.
Professor T. Yoyok Wahyu Subroto from UGM’s Academic Senate Commission 1 highlighted the significant potential of Pacitan Regency, which should be developed more optimally.
He hopes that tourism development in the area can become a pillar of economic growth, particularly in Pacitan Regency and East Java Province as a whole.
“Pacitan Regency needs to develop a Regional Tourism Development Master Plan (Ripparda). This is essential as a guide for tourism development. UGM has many experts and a Center for Tourism Studies that can assist with this,” he explained.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie