Universitas Gadjah Mada has won two awards from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for deploying students for the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) across 35 provinces in Indonesia and distributing the most milk to 11,150 students.
MURI representative Ari Andriani presented the MURI awards to UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia for deploying students for KKN-PPM in most provinces, 35.
The second MURI award for the most milk distributed to 11,150 students was received directly by Professor Budi Guntoro, the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science (Animal Science UGM).
“This award is proudly given to UGM and the Faculty of Animal Science,” said Ari Andriani while presenting the certificates before thousands of KKN-PPM students at the Balairung courtyard on Friday (Jun. 26).
Rector Ova Emilia expressed her appreciation for the MURI awards received by UGM for the record deployment of KKN-PPM students in 35 provinces and the record for the most milk distributed to over 11,000 students.
According to her, the second award for the most milk distribution aligns with the overarching theme of UGM’s KKN-PPM program, which focuses on Food Sovereignty and Environmental Management to Support the Achievement of National Peace and Progress.
“I believe KKN-PPM plays a crucial role in realizing this, as food availability is one of the key challenges for our nation’s development,” said the rector.
The rector mentioned that Indonesia’s food security index is still below the global one.
“Although there has been an improvement, it is still low at 60.2, compared to the global index of 62.2. Therefore, we still need to work hard,” Rector Emilia said.
Furthermore, the rector added that the habit of consuming milk in our society is still low. Even the availability of domestically produced milk can only meet about 20 percent of the demand, with the rest being imported.
Yet, to create robust human resources, good food intake, including promoting milk consumption and a balanced nutritional diet, is essential.
“We are starting with a milk-drinking movement involving 11,000 students,” she said.
Director General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Nasrullah, expressed his appreciation for UGM’s MURI awards.
“Congratulations and appreciation for UGM for the MURI awards for the student deployment and the most milk consumption,” he said.
According to Dr. Nasrullah, the MURI award is not just a record-breaking certificate but a starting point to ensure the milk-drinking program among the community, especially school children, continues to be encouraged. Many areas still have communities that need and lack animal protein.
“For milk consumption, we are still ranked last in Southeast Asia, so it’s important to have nutritional intake from milk, eggs, and meat,” said the director-general.
He stated that consuming milk as a source of animal protein is crucial for developing a quality generation in anticipation of Golden Indonesia 2045.
“Animal protein intake is essential for realizing Golden Indonesia,” he said.
At least 7,162 students will be deployed to 35 provinces during this KKN-PPM period. At the KKN-PPM locations, students are expected to motivate and contribute to inspiring community service activities in various remote areas of the country.
The deployment of KKN-PPM students was attended by the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, regional heads, UGM leadership, faculty/school leaders at UGM, regional coordinators, field supervisors, and partners.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto