UNS — The Alumni Association of (IKA) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta distributed 500 staple food packages to people affected by the pandemic around the UNS main campus. This program was held collaborating with Bank Indonesia (BI) social program. The distribution was conducted through the RT representative symbolically on Friday (6/8/2021) in the IKA UNS building.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho; Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs UNS, Prof. Sajidan; and Representative from Bank Indonesia Solo, Nugroho Joko Prastowo attended the event offline. The Chairman of IKA UNS, Ir. Budi Harto; Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Prof Wimboh Santosa; and the Chief of OJK Solo, Eko Yunianto, joined the ceremony online through the Zoom channel.
In his report, the Chairman of IKA UNS Gotong Royong Bank Indonesia Social Program (PSBI) Committee, M Farid Sunarto, stated that this program aims to assist the Covid-19 handling in Surakarta. The distributed packages containing staple foods, multivitamins, masks, and other goods aim to improve the community’s immune system and awareness of applying the health protocols. “Wearing a mask, wash hands with water, keep physical distance, avoid crowd, reduce mobility, and avoid eating with other people. The program is implemented in UNS Kentingan campus area (ring 1),” he explained in the program report.
The program’s recipients are people who live and have small businesses affected by the pandemic in the designated area. The team focused on people who live near the campus and prioritized those with culinary, simple transportation, printing, tailor, tire repairs businesses, and people losing their jobs. Recipients should also agree to apply health protocols, one family only receives one package, and fill a form from the committee signed by their respective RT.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, stated that one of the most affected fields by the pandemic, besides healthcare, is the economy. He mentioned that many economic activities and trades do not run well, and many people were laid off or experienced declining income. The Rector also appreciates IKA UNS efforts to help others affected by the pandemic. “This afternoon (Friday (6/8/2021)), IKA UNS will distribute 500 packages under IKA UNS Gotong Royong Program Sosial Bank Indonesia Program,” Prof. Jamal said in his remark.
Prof. Jamal hopes that the collaboration between IKA UNS and BI will not stop here and continue with other activities. “The more we give to others, the easier our pursuits will be. Please accept the packages, and I thanked the surrounding community for their participation in maintaining peace and security in UNS. In Javanese saying it is pager mangkok (bowl fencing, red: protection from the surrounding community built through sharing and mutual help),” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti