EduAsiaNews, Jogyakarta – The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Ova Emilia, officially sent off the Student Team of the Disaster-Response Community Service Program (KKN-PPM Peduli Bencana) for Sumatra at a ceremony held at Balairung, the UGM Central Administration Building, on Friday (January 30).
The deployment ceremony was symbolically marked by the presentation of KKN attributes, name tags, and caps to the two unit team leaders. Dewarta Bagus Bagaskara was appointed as the head of the unit assigned to Geudumbak Village, Langkahan, North Aceh, while Laurencia Lintang Arum Purbasari Harjanto led the unit assigned to Mayang Cut Village, Meureudu, Pidie Jaya.
In her remarks, Rector Ova Emilia advised all KKN-PPM students to maintain their health during the implementation of the program, enhance empathy, and support one another. She stated that the 30 selected students participating in the Disaster-Response KKN-PPM program are resilient individuals who are intelligent and possess a strong sense of empathy, thus meeting the criteria to assist in the recovery of disaster-affected communities.
“Continue to remind and support one another, because in distant places, friends become our family. We all pray for the students’ health and safety,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni of UGM, Dr. Arie Sujito, explained that students participating in the Disaster-Response KKN-PPM program are expected to carry out humanitarian actions in collaboration with disaster-affected communities. The program will focus on providing access to clean water, as well as supporting the strengthening of social and economic livelihoods in post-disaster areas.
“We aim to make this program a platform for enhancing humanitarian values,” he stated.
He further emphasized the importance of mutual care among students and strengthening solidarity in the process of assisting affected communities. According to him, students’ mental resilience plays a crucial role in supporting community recovery through creativity, integrity, and compassion.
“Maintain communication with your supervisors, take care of your health and safety, and uphold teamwork. Depart safely and in good health, and return safely and in good health as well,” he added.
In his report, the Secretary of the Directorate of Community Service (DPkM) of UGM, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum., stated that DPkM UGM has coordinated with the Central Executive Board of the Gadjah Mada Alumni Association (PP Kagama) as well as the Aceh Regional Board of Kagama. This coordination aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Disaster-Response KKN-PPM implementation and ensure student safety. He also noted that this initiative will be followed by a regular KKN-PPM program scheduled to take place from June to August.
“This Disaster-Response KKN-PPM will be followed by a regular KKN program. We have designated priority locations in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh to ensure program sustainability,” he explained.
For additional information, a total of 30 students from 10 faculties and 1 school at Universitas Gadjah Mada, divided into two units, will be deployed to Pidie Jaya Regency and North Aceh Regency from January 31 to March 1, 2026. The deployment of the 2026 Sumatra Disaster-Response KKN-PPM students reflects UGM’s commitment to responding to post-disaster conditions through community service.
Prior to their deployment, Dr. Djarot explained that the students had received preparatory training related to their main tasks in the field. The training covered the construction of temporary shelters (Huntara), sanitation, energy, electricity provision, and psychosocial support. The two-day briefing is expected to significantly assist disaster-affected communities, particularly in North Aceh Regency and Pidie Jaya Regency.
