UNAIR NEWS – A total of 509 Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) students marked the commencement of the fifth Kuliah Kerja Nyata Belajar Bareng Komunitas (KKN-BBK) program during an opening ceremony held at the Mojokerto Regency Office on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The event was officiated by Mojokerto Regent Dr. Ikfina Fahmawati, M.Si., who symbolically launched the program’s activities for this cycle.
The ceremony was attended by subdistrict heads from Gondang, Pacet, and Trawas, the designated deployment areas for the program. Also in attendance was Prof. Dr. Eduardus Bimo Aksono Herupradoto, drh., M.Kes., Secretary of UNAIR’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), who delivered a speech on behalf of UNAIR’s Rector.
Innovative features of KKN-BBK 5
Prof. Herupradoto highlighted that this period of KKN-BBK includes 509 students organized into 51 groups, guided by 17 field supervisors, and deployed to 51 villages in Mojokerto Regency. “Our students will address four major themes and work areas, with all projects preceded by surveys conducted by the participants,” he explained.
A key feature of this year’s program is the integration of UNAIR’s technological innovation, such as the BIOME system, which addresses waste management issues. “By employing a problem-identification approach, the LPPM ensures that each program directly tackles the specific challenges faced by the targeted villages,” Prof. Herupradoto added.
Program opportunities in Mojokerto
In her speech, Mojokerto Regent Dr. Ikfina Fahmawati underscored agriculture as one of the region’s leading economic sectors. “I encourage the students to assist in maximizing opportunities in ecotourism, enabling communities to produce goods that meet market demands in terms of quality and price,” the regent stated.
Dr. Fahmawati also stressed the importance of economic programs aimed at improving financial efficiency, which could help reduce production costs and boost community income. She further noted that Mojokerto’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have already begun expanding their reach to regions such as Tuban and Batu.
The regent concluded by emphasizing the need for active involvement from the youth and village organizations (karang taruna) in the students’ programs. “By engaging the younger generation, we hope they can develop valuable skills through their collaboration with KKN-BBK students,” she said.
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
