28 UGM students conducting the Community Service Program (KKN) have descended upon Pacitan Regency, sparking the initiation of a groundbreaking digital village program in Kendal and Wareng Villages, Punung District.
Embarking on nearly two months of intensive engagement, the students have set out to uncover the untapped potential for digital development in these villages.
Hailing from diverse academic backgrounds, the UGM students represent three clusters: science and technology, social and humanities, and agriculture.
They bring insights from the Faculty of Geography, Animal Science, Social and Political Sciences, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Psychology, Agricultural Technology, and Law.
Ari Cahyono, the Punung team’s field supervisor, outlined the program’s strategic focus—empowering the community towards a digital village.
The students are gearing up to conduct training sessions, including digital marketing workshops for local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), sessions on digital financial administration, and comprehensive updates to enrich the village database.
This ambitious work program aligns seamlessly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. By digitizing Kendal and Wareng Villages, UGM students aspire to bridge the digital technology gap between rural and urban areas.
“The initiation of a digital village will be a major theme that the students will carry out,” emphasized a UGM Faculty of Geography lecturer at the Punung District Office on Monday (Dec. 18).
Puji Haryono, the Punung District Head, warmly welcomed the UGM students and shed light on the challenges faced by the villages. Issues such as the potential development of MSMEs, stunting, waste management, and others were highlighted.
Encouraging adaptability to the village environment, Haryono urged the students to craft programs that offer temporary relief and establish sustainable solutions.
“The presence of UGM students here is expected to help and contribute sustainable program ideas and provide digitalization training to the local community,” he remarked.
Author: The UGM Punung Team
Editor: Ika