In an effort to improve community quality of life and support sustainable development, Universitas Terbuka (UT), in collaboration with Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and PT Arutmin Indonesia Kintap Mine, has launched the National Community Service Program (PKM). This program aims to strengthen local potential through various educational, training, and sustainable economic development activities, and to enhance community skills in managing local resources.
UT Rector Prof. Drs. Ojat Darojat, M.Bus., Ph.D., along with several UT Banjarmasin officials, conducted a four-day visit from October 23-26, 2024, to the Kintap Site and Paku Alam Village, Banjarmasin. This visit was part of the Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) activities for the Community Service Program (PkM) in collaboration with UT, USU, and PT Arutmin. Prof. Ojat emphasized that synergy between academia and industry is essential to create programs that have a real impact on the surrounding community.
During this activity, the UT Rector was accompanied by Dra. Yusrafiddin, M.Pd., Head of the Community Service Center, and Ir. Mochamad Priono, M.Si., Director of UT Banjarmasin. On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Rector was welcomed at the Kintap Site by Arutmin Batulicin Satui (BASATU) Mine Manager, Cipto Prayitno. Activities at the Kintap Site included a dialogue and discussion session with students and participants of the “Kintap Cerdas” program, which is part of the PKM activities in the area.
The following day, on Friday, October 25, 2024, the Rector and his entourage continued their activities in Paku Alam Village, holding a “Mini Expo” showcasing the results of the PKM, which included locally produced products created by students and lecturers. The event was also attended by local government officials from Paku Alam Village and various other stakeholders. Among the products exhibited to the public were processed food items such as Crispy Seluang, Crispy Mushrooms, Crispy Sepat Fish, and Crispy Bananas, as well as orange syrup, hydroponic farming, and innovative products like carrot and snakehead fish nuggets. Besides food products, students also showcased other skills such as makeup artistry, flower bouquet making, and the “Ice Blended Fortyfive” beverage. This PKM program not only supports the local economy but also inspires active participation from UT students in community empowerment.
In addition to the empowerment program showcasing PKM results, UT also demonstrated its commitment to strengthening synergy and cooperation in expanding access to higher education through a scholarship program. On Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Galaxy Hotel Banjarmasin, UT held a gathering with scholarship providers and hosted a dialogue with scholarship recipients from various regions in South Kalimantan.
These scholarships are expected to assist UT students in achieving optimal academic performance and developing skills relevant to industry needs. Furthermore, scholarships are a vital factor in promoting broader and more equitable access to higher education, particularly in South Kalimantan and surrounding regions.
The event was attended by UT Banjarmasin Director Ir. Mochamad Priono, M.Si., and his team, as well as representatives from various institutions, including the Balangan Regency Government represented by the Assistant III for General Administration, Rudiansyah Sofyan; the Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency Government represented by Regional Secretary Drs. H. Muhammad Noor, M.AP.; the Barito Kuala Regency Government represented by the Head of Regional Development Planning, H. Munadi, ST.; PT Arutmin Indonesia represented by Community Development Coordinator Diana Puspita; PT Antang Gunung Meratus represented by CSR Section Head Syamsul Bahri; Yayasan Bina Masyarakat Bakumpai represented by Foundation Chairman Drs. Akhmad Mawarni, M.Pd.; BKPSDM Hulu Sungai Selatan represented by Head of Competency Development, Evaluation, and Assessment of Civil Servant Performance Rahmah Hayati, SH.; and PT Wahana Baratama Mining represented by CSR Manager Vans Rizal Herdratmo.
This collaborative program between educational institutions and industry partners not only positively impacts scholarship recipients but also contributes to the development of quality human resources in the future. In his speech, UT Rector Prof. Ojat expressed deep gratitude to the partners for their support of education at UT. “We are very grateful for the continued support from our partners in providing scholarships to our students. This is tangible proof of our shared commitment to advancing education and creating an outstanding generation ready to compete in the global era,” said Prof. Ojat. “Through this partnership, we are optimistic about creating positive, real impacts for the community. This is a strong first step towards building a better future together,” Prof. Ojat concluded.
The partners also expressed their appreciation for UT’s initiatives focused on empowerment and sustainable education. With a shared commitment, they pledged to continue supporting similar programs in the future. Moreover, the partners responded positively, expressing their commitment to continue supporting educational programs organized by UT. It is hoped that this solid collaboration will grow, provide wider benefits, and foster a competitive young generation that contributes to the development of society and the nation.
