Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted monitoring and evaluation (monev) activities for the implementation of the Community Service Program (KKN) in Kalikotes Village, Klaten, Central Java.
The monitoring and evaluation were conducted to observe the UGM students in the region firsthand as they develop Kalikotes into a rural tourism area to help improve the local economy.
Field observations took place in the Tirta Mutiara Kalikotes Tourism Village on Wednesday (Dec. 27). Tirta Mutiara Tourism Village is a fostered village receiving guidance from the UGM Community Service Program.
Present during the field observation were the Chair of the UGM Academic Senate, Professor Sulistiowati; the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujto; and the Director of Community Service, Dr. Rustamaji.
The delegation received a warm welcome from the community and conducted a tour to observe the hydroponic center in the village after receiving guidance from the KKN students.
A total of 20 students in the Kalikotes unit, Professor Suratman as the field supervisor, and regional stakeholders welcomed this visit.
The UGM students in Klaten indeed have a main program to assist the government in improving the economy by developing the potential of rural tourism and agro-based areas.
“To see the progress of the main program being implemented, the Academic Senate and the university’s leadership conducted a direct inspection at the Kalikotes unit in Klaten. Thank you for the visit,” said Professor Suratman.
After conducting a direct inspection, the monitoring and evaluation activities continued with a joint discussion forum at Bale Tirto.
The monev team led by Professor Sulistiowati conveyed that as a people’s campus, UGM commits to collaborating to develop existing potentials for the welfare of the local economy.
“In this development effort, cooperation is certainly needed, including the role of the village government to optimize village funds to develop their respective areas with the support of knowledge and technology from UGM,” she said.
“For example, Umbul Ponggok, which has advanced, will be used as a role model for the development of nature and agro-based tourism potential in other villages.”
Author: UGM Directorate of Community Service
Editor: Agung Nugroho
Photo: The Kalikotes Team