UNS — It is surprising to find a unique boarding house near the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta. The boarding house is a resident for the students from the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) UNS. Known as ‘Pondok Ikhwan’, the boarding house is different from other boarding houses as many of its residents are activists and outstanding students from FP UNS. This boarding house is located in Gang Tejo II Nomor 59, Jebres, Jebres Sub-District, Surakarta City.
Established in 2008, the founder of this housing is Eksa Rusdiyana, S.P., M. Sc., a lecturer from the Agricultural Extension & Communication (PKP) FP UNS, while he was still a student. Until now, the housing continuously hosting positive programs to hone student skills. This activity has proven effective as, in fact, the President for the Student Executive Board in FP UNS since 2014-2021 always come from ‘Pondok Ikhwan’ housing. Other achievements accomplished by ‘Pondok Ikhwan’ residents are Silver Medal in Student Creativity Program (PKM), Outstanding Student from the FP UNS, and winner in several Scientific Writing Competitions (LKTI). One of the students who resided in the ‘Pondok Ikhwan’, Muhammad Zakaria from the Forest Management Study Program, reveals that all those achievements cannot be separated from the mentoring program in ‘Pondok Ikhwan’. This activity establishes familiarity among the residents. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the mentoring was conducted online for the time being.
“The mentoring is more like bonding, the seniors are more likely to ask how we are. Even more, now we already recruit dozen of the students from the class of 2020, while the mentoring stays online,” explains Zaka to the uns.ac.id team on Tuesday (26/1/2021).
Additionally, he mentioned that during the mentoring event, there was also a motivational session to help members to become a better person. Moreover, all students who wish to join Pondok Ikhwan must attend Pondok Ikhwan Leadership Camp (PILC). Before the pandemic, the camp that focused on increasing leadership skills usually took place in Karanganyar.
There is a weekly sharing session every Friday, to inspire and sharing stories with other members. Usually, the Pondok Ikhwan will also invite outstanding and excellent or activists to motivate its fellow FP students who stayed in the Boarding House. The housing has 13 rooms, where each room is designed for two occupants, thus, in total there are 26 students resided in this housing. The current residents are FP UNS students from the class of 2017-2020. Aside from their excellent achievements, the alumni of Pondok Ikhwan also become the initiator in several start-up businesses such as Agro Lestari Merbabu, Beras ID, and Madani Farm.
Zaka admits that when he was a member of the Pondok Ikhwan, there were many benefits he received, such as getting extensive relationships, a positive environment, and mentoring activities. “Right now, I feel like they give me an extensive network, mentoring, and positive daily culture,” Zaka concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
