UNS – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic generated direct response from the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta by deploying 2,045 students and 95 field supervisors in the Community Service Program (KKN) UNS Covid-19. In its implementation, KKN UNS Covid-19 covers 25 provinces and 165 districts/cities.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, stated that KKN UNS Covid-19 is a form of UNS sensitivity in responding to the crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
“UNS has to be responsive to the situation. There is a disruption in Higher Education Tri Dharma service during corona crisis, online teaching and learning, and project-based learning credit semester (SKS) recognition for merdeka belajar (independent learning) program, and a form of community service through Covid-19 Thematic KKN,” conveyed Prof. Jamal as a speaker in a webinar entitled ‘Disaster based KKN in Covid-19 Pandemic’ held by the Disaster Study Center (Pusat Studi Bencana – PSB) the Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM) UNS, Friday (15/5/2020).
In front of the webinar participants, Prof. Jamal explained the aims and objectives of KKN UNS. One of which is to realize one of the Higher Education Tri Dharma in community services, assisting the student in implementing knowledge, technology, and arts that benefits the community, and train students to participate in contributing to the development.
The points conveyed by Prof. Jamal of the aims and objectives of KKN UNS is relevant in answering the emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is also mentioned in the Circular Number 24/UNS27/SE/2020 concerning Rector Policy concerning Community Service Program (KKN) during the Covid-19 Pandemic issued on (17/4/2020).
On this occasion, Prof. Jamal stated that in line with the circular signed by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs UNS, UNS students scheduled to join July-August KKN can choose to conduct KKN as Covid-19 handling volunteer by complying with established health protocols.
To ensure that the implementation of KKN UNS Covid-19 will run as planned, Prof. Jamal mentioned that three types of community targets are included in the KKN UNS Covid-19 program.
“There are three (target), general community not affected by the socio-economic impact of the layoff, the community affected by the socio-economic impact of layoff and live around the students who are vulnerable to Covid-19, and the community affected in which there are UNS students with PDP, ODP, and OTG (live in the area),” Prof. Jamal continued.
On the implementation of KKN UNS Covid-19 this year, UNS also carries several general themes, such as public health, food security, community economic security and education during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Besides paying attention to the general theme of KKN UNS Covid-19, Prof. Jamal also requested that UNS students obey the prevailing regulation to maintain health and safety. Humas UNS/Yefta
