Students from Universitas Gadjah Mada’s (UGM) Community Service Program (KKN-PPM), in collaboration with Universitas Syeikh Nawawi Al Bantani (USNB) and the Serang Regency Government, organized the Tanara Serang Festival.
The event, which occurred at the Serang Regent’s Pavilion on Monday, Aug. 12, is part of UGM’s KKN-PPM work program to develop religious tourism centered on Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani in Tanara District.
The Tanara Serang Festival was officially opened by Serang Regent Ratu Tatu Chasanah, who also marked the conclusion of the UGM KKN-PPM students’ 50-day program in Tanara Village and Pedaleman Village, Tanara District.
The opening ceremony, organized by the Serang Regent, featured performances by the Wanda Banten Dance Studio and Kaserangan Pencak Silat.
In her opening speech, Regent Ratu Tatu Chasanah welcomed the annual deployment of UGM KKN-PPM students, noting that the various activities conducted by the UGM KKN-PPM team were usually held at the Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani Quran Stone Garden in Tanara District.
However, this year’s event was held at the Serang Regent’s Pavilion to reach a broader audience.
“Hopefully, events like this can further promote Tanara’s tourism, including its culinary specialties and attractions,” she said.
The regent emphasized that the collaborative and sustainable nature of the Tanara Serang Festival was made possible by the active participation of UGM KKN-PPM students as part of the community empowerment efforts.
The Serang Regency Government and the local community greatly appreciated the students’ dedication, enthusiasm, and sincerity during their interactions and activities in the field.
“From our observations, the community has responded positively to the empowerment activities by the UGM KKN-PPM students. The regent explained that this certainly brings us joy and optimism as we work towards our larger goals,” the regent explained.
Ratu Tatu Chasanah expressed her hope that the UGM KKN-PPM program, which has been running since 2022, will continue. She also encouraged the students to prioritize the development of the Tanara Religious Tourism program and continually work to prepare and educate the community.
“I often emphasize that for areas to be promoted as tourist destinations, the local community must be prepared, particularly in terms of cleanliness and creating a comfortable environment for visitors,” she said.
Dr. Ari Sujito, UGM’s Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, stated that the KKN program conducted by UGM students is one way of building the nation. In the KKN program in Serang, UGM students consistently committed to collaborating with Serang Regency and Universitas Syeikh Nawawi Al Bantani (USNB).
Dr. Sujito added that UGM appreciates the Serang Regency Government for providing many opportunities for students to serve the community. The students learned about local culture and understood the realities of Indonesian society.
“I am proud of the students for their involvement in these activities. We always emphasize that over the past two years, every time UGM organizes a KKN, we always collaborate with local universities and alumni in the region, being inclusive and inviting local stakeholders to contribute to nation-building,” he said.
The vice-rector emphasized that UGM students are educated to learn in the classroom and gain experience outside the classroom. This approach aims to enable students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in the classroom and the community.
He acknowledged that the achievements of UGM students are supported by the collaboration of the government, community, and businesses.
“We see that one of the priorities in building this nation is improving the quality of human resources, and a cultural approach is something we always emphasize,” he explained.
Dr. Sudaryatno, the field supervisor (DPL) for the KKN-PPM program in Serang, added that the KKN-PPM activities in the Tanara Serang unit have been ongoing since 2022, with five recent deployments.
Some of the successful KKN-PPM programs in Serang Regency include the planting of 8,000 mangrove trees in Lontar, Tirtayasa, and various cultural festivals such as the Tanara Cultural Festival, the Kaserangan Silat Festival, and the Ringkang Jawari Dance Festival, as well as a Silat Training Festival for young students.
“This time, the Serang cultural arts festival includes creative arts competitions, a Serang Welcome Song competition, calligraphy competitions, and a local snack festival,” he explained.
The event was also attended by the Director of Community Service at UGM, Dr. Rustamaji; the Head of the UGM KKN PPM Sub-directorate, Professor Nanung Agus Fitriyanto; Professor Irfan Dwidya Prijambada; Acting Serang Regency Secretary Rudi Suhartanto; and several second-echelon officials, Forkopimda members, and district heads from across Serang Regency.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie