 |
| UMM Rector Sends Off 4,000 Students for Community Service (Photo: Rizki Humas) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) continually encourages its students to serve and benefit society, exemplified through the Community Service by Students (PMM) program. This time, over 4,000 students from various faculties of UMM were dispatched on July 17 to commence PMM with their respective flagship programs.
The PMM program for the year 2024 sends 4,747 students divided into over 900 groups. They will engage in community service across 17 provinces and 74 districts and cities. The program, themed around prosperous and self-sufficient villages, was formally opened and sent off by UMM Rector Prof. Dr. Nazaruddin Malik, M.Si.
Read more: UMM's 114th Graduation: How to Confront Future Uncertainties
"The overarching concept of PMM is community service. This program is crucial to condition future leaders to specific societal situations. What can we feel and do? How deeply are we engaged emotionally and sentimentally with the community's conditions at that time," he stated.
He emphasized that understanding community issues is more powerful than technical competencies gained through lectures. Therefore, students must identify prevailing issues and then provide the best possible solutions.
For Information, PMM is a mandatory program for UMM students, formerly known as Real Work Lecture (KKN). This community service program was temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was replaced by PMM after the pandemic subsided, while adhering to health protocols.
Read more: UMM New Students Begin to be Trained
Meanwhile, Muhamad Salis Yuniardi, M.Psi, PhD, Vice Rector IV for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation, also emphasized the significance of service in the program. "Students sent to the community must understand the essence of PMM itself. They must be ready, both physically and mentally, to provide their best contributions directly to society," he added.
Furthermore, PMM students are expected to exemplify the characteristics of higher education. Besides contributing, they should learn humility, cooperation, hard work, and gratitude from village residents. It's important not to approach the community with arrogance stemming from academic achievements.
This sentiment was echoed by the Chair of UMM's Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sutawi M.P. He hopes that students will leverage their knowledge gained at UMM to successfully contribute to village development. Additionally, they should learn local wisdom such as hard work, cooperation, and simplicity.
"Aligned with UMM's tagline, 'Muhammadiyah for the Nation,' students dedicating themselves to community service must provide one hundred percent solutions to community issues. Hopefully, this program will enhance your knowledge and experience, preparing you better for graduation and returning to society," he concluded. (Tri/Wil/Fajr)
