UNS — The Alumni Association (IKA) of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held Go Live event to launch the Gotong Royong IKA UNS Peduli Covid-19 (IKA UNS Gotong Royong and Care for Covid-19). The event was held online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting application and live-streamed on the UNS YouTube channel on Friday (23/7/2021). Several invited guests attended the event, such as Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, Ir. Budi Harto, Prof. Wimboh Santoso, Gibran Rakabumin Raka, and Doni Primanto Joewono. Prof. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, Dr. Heru Tjahyono, Ir. Heri Sosiawan, M.M, and Ir. Arif Budiyanto, who acts as the moderator for the event, also attended the launching ceremony.
The Chairman of IKA UNS, Ir. Budi Harto, mentioned in his remark that Gotong Royong IKA UNS Peduli Covid-19 is participation from UNS alumni in assisting the Indonesian government in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. The coverage of this activity is Solo City and the surrounding areas.
“This event includes preparing meals for people who are self-quarantining in their home. Preparing ambulances, burial process, and oxygen. All of these activities will be developed following community’s needs and our abilities,” Budi Harto stated.
The Chairman of the Board of Commissioner of the Financial Service Authority (OJK), Prof. Wimboh Santoso, expressed his support for the activity and stated that Gotong Royong IKA UNS Peduli Covid-19 is a form of UNS alumni’s empathy for the community affected by the pandemic. This empathy brought gotong royong as strength of Indonesian culture in facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This noble culture is not limited to lip service, but IKA UNS participated in implementing this,” the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, stated.
Gotong Royong IKA UNS Peduli Covid-19 is tangible proof of IKA UNS awareness on humanitarian issues. Besides, gotong royong, Indonesia has strong community institutions, such as Desa Siaga (Village Readiness Program) in West Java and Jogo Tonggo (Care for Neighbors) in Central Java. These programs emphasize the strength of cultural values as a great potential for Indonesian to work together to handle Covid-19.
Gotong royong is also implemented by helping other self-quarantining people as a form of caring for others.
“Let’s work together supporting and showing our care, and reassuring those who are self-quarantining that we are always with them,” Gibran, the Major of Surakarta, stated in the launching.
Gibran also appreciated the IKA UNS effort in holding the Gotong Royong IKA UNS Peduli Covid-19. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti