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UTS Sydney Students Join Culture Day at KKN-PPM Seyegan Unit: Learning Gamelan and Exploring Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage

articlegood practicessdgs#1 - no povertysdgs#17 - partnerships for the goalssdgs#4 - quality education Monday, 28 July 2025

 

On July 16, 2025, the Directorate of Community Service at Universitas Gadjah Mada (DPkM UGM), together with the Regional Coordinator for the Yogyakarta Special Region, conducted a monitoring and evaluation (monev) visit to the KKN-PPM (Community Service Program) Period II in Seyegan, Sleman. This activity was not only attended by UGM students but also involved seven international students from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia. Coinciding with this visit, a Culture Day celebration was held to honor and showcase local traditions and customs, highlighting the students’ participation in appreciating Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

The event began with welcoming remarks from Prof. Ir. Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the KKN-PPM Sub-directorate at UGM. In his message, Prof. Nanung emphasized the importance of KKN as a multidimensional learning platform where community empowerment and cultural preservation go hand in hand.“Through this community engagement program, students are not only giving but also learning from the local wisdom embedded in society,” he stated.

One of the highlights of the event was a karawitan performance—a traditional Javanese musical art—featuring local residents and cultural performers. After the performance, Culture Day participants were invited to try their hands at playing gamelan instruments. The seven UTS international students enthusiastically took part in the session, guided by local artists from Margoagung. They learned to play traditional instruments such as the saron, kenong, and gong.

For the international students, this experience was truly memorable. They didn’t just observe but actively participated in playing gamelan for the first time.

“Playing gamelan is actually not easy. It’s not just about hitting the instruments—it requires full concentration. I realized it’s quite challenging,” said Valerie.
Meanwhile, William added, “It’s really relaxing. It reminds me of when I did batik—entering a rhythm and trance where you forget everything around you. I felt completely relaxed.”

This collaboration between UGM and UTS reflects the spirit of global partnership in education, especially in developing countries like Indonesia. By engaging international students in local cultural practices, the program promotes mutual respect and understanding of diverse cultures. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Global Partnerships).

Moreover, the event served as a platform for cultural exchange, allowing international students to experience firsthand the richness of Indonesia’s heritage. Such initiatives are vital in developing countries, where education and cultural preservation can play a significant role in community development and social cohesion.

The gamelan session not only provided a direct learning experience but also fostered long-lasting memories and friendships among the students. Cultural immersion like this is essential in nurturing a more inclusive and understanding global community.

In conclusion, Culture Day in Seyegan was a remarkable success, celebrating the beauty of Indonesian culture through gamelan while strengthening international collaboration in education. The event underscored the importance of cultural preservation and global partnership both critical components in achieving the SDGs in developing nations.

Writer/Editor: Dn Halimah, Aray/Dn Halimah
Reporters: Aray and team
Photo Source: DPkM UGM Media Team

UGM’s KKN-PPM 2025: Empowering Communities Beyond the Numbers

articlegood practicesKKN International ProgramKKN-PPM for International Students Programssdgssdgs#1 - no povertysdgs#17 - partnerships for the goalssdgs#2 - zero hungersdgs#3 - good health and well-beingsdgs#4 - quality educationsdgs#8 - decent work and economic growth Tuesday, 24 June 2025

A total of 8,038 students were deployed to communities during the Briefing and Deployment Ceremony of KKN-PPM UGM Period 2 of 2025 on Friday (20/6)

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again reaffirmed its dedication to community service with the launch of KKN-PPM Period 2 of 2025. The deployment ceremony was graced by the presence of the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Budi Santosa, M.Si., alongside UGM Rector Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., SpOG(K), Ph.D., who jointly officiated the event.

This period, KKN-PPM recorded its highest participation, involving 8,038 students deployed across 287 locations in 236 districts, 122 regencies/cities, and 35 provinces. Their work is supported by 287 Field Supervisors (DPL) and 23 Regional Coordinators (Korwil).

In her address, Rector Prof. Ova Emilia emphasized that KKN is far more than an academic requirement; it is a real-world learning platform that shapes character and leadership. “KKN is a genuine arena of learning where students confront the complexities of society. It nurtures resilience and compassion, preparing them to be future leaders.” she stated.

Continuing with the theme “Food Sovereignty and Environmental Management to Support Peace and National Progress,” KKN-PPM UGM maintains its focus on strategic issues relevant to community needs.

 

The Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, accompanied by the Rector and Vice Rector for Education, Community Service, and Alumni (WRKPMA) of UGM, symbolically struck the gong and bamboo slit drum to mark the deployment of KKN-PPM UGM students.

A highlight of this period is UGM’s strategic partnership with the Ministry of Trade, through which students are placed in 110 thematic KKN locations. These locations emphasize support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), digitization of local grocery stores and kiosks, and revitalizing traditional markets. Minister Dr. Budi Santosa highlighted the students’ role, saying that their contributions transcend academic boundaries to deliver tangible impacts that foster a people-centered economy.

He said, “Students serve as agents of transformation, linking local potential with innovation and technology to strengthen inclusive and sustainable community trade ecosystems.”

Vice Rector for Education, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Si., expressed gratitude to the 162 partners — including ministries, local governments, state-owned enterprises, private sectors, and other higher education institutions — who have supported the program through training, funding, and facilitation. Notable partners include the Ministry of Trade, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, PT BCA Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia, and PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero).

UGM also enhances institutional synergy via its Collaborative KKN scheme with eleven partner universities, including Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri (UNUGIRI), Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (UNTIRTA), Universitas Warmadewa, Universitas Halu Oleo, Universitas Tadulako, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Universitas Pattimura, Universitas Gorontalo, Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan (STKIP) PGRI Pacitan, and the KKN Higher Education Forum in the Yogyakarta and Central Java regions.

 

Students and Field Supervisors (DPL) of the Banggai Kepulauan KKN-PPM Unit pose for a group photo with the UGM Rector during the briefing and deployment ceremony (June 20).

These efforts align with UGM’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on food security, education, health, economic growth, poverty alleviation, and partnership strengthening. KKN-PPM themes and activities are designed to provide practical, knowledge-based solutions through cross-sector collaboration.

Moreover, students are encouraged to uphold ethical conduct on digital platforms throughout their KKN activities. While sharing inspiring stories on social media is welcomed to promote best practices, it must be done responsibly to honor the dignity of individuals, communities, and the institution.

More than just numbers, KKN-PPM UGM embodies the university’s tridharma mission: education, research, and community service. Through robust collaboration and a steadfast commitment to people-centered values, UGM continues to play a vital role in addressing the nation’s real-world challenges.

author: bil

photos: Khoir

TAGS:
#SDGs #SDG1 #SDG2 #SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG8 #SDG17 #KKN #KKNPPMUGM #pengabdianmasyarakat #communityservice

 

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