UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held the Expo of Adopted Village Products 2023 assisted by the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM – Independent Learning, Independent Campus) students. The expo was held in the courtyard of the dr. Prakosa UNS Building and at the UNS Lake Courtyard from Friday (1/9/2023) to Saturday (2/9/2023).
Dr. rer. Nat. Nurhadi, S. Ant., M. Hum., the Head of UNS KKN Implementation Unit, stated in his speech that the Expo of Adopted Village Products 2023 assisted by UNS MBKM students is part of the implementation of the MBKM Membangun Desa (building villages) program. The aim is to implement the program’s outcomes.
“The expo participants include MBKM Membangun Desa students, Student Executive Board (Ormawa) Community Service Program (PPK), Bina Desa Center, KWU Center, P2MD, P2MW, and Wibawa, totaling 193 stands. In addition to students, several partners also participated. The product categories on display include processed food, fashion, art, crafts, appropriate technology, education, and several other categories,” Dr. Nurhadi explained.
As part of the series of events in the Expo of Adopted Village Products 2023, there were talk shows and workshops on the evaluation of the Thematic KKN Program of MBKM Membangun Desa, attended by the village chiefs from the MBKM location. “This event is held as an evaluation of the Thematic KKN Program of MBKM Membangun Desa UNS 2023 and to prepare for the Thematic KKN Program of MBKM Membangun Desa UNS in 2024,” Dr. Nurhadi added.
The expo was opened by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum. In his speech, he conveyed his congratulations and best wishes, expressing pride and appreciation for the initiative to organize an expo that involved 193 stands, 404 groups, and 3,880 students. “I salute the lecturers and students involved in this expo because through this event, UNS can showcase the results of student learning and activities. All the products in this expo are the results of independent campus activities that strongly support the government’s current major agenda of boosting economic potential and empowering rural communities,” Prof. Jamal explained.
It is time for UNS to become the driving force behind creative products in its adopted villages, which can positively impact economic progress and enrich local rural products.
“I would like to thank the UNS MBKM Team, lecturers, and students who participated in this Expo, as well as our partners, BPJS and BRI Sudirman, for their participation in enlivening this Expo event. Hopefully the synergy and collaboration between UNS and our adopted villages, which have been well-established so far, will continue to improve in the future,” Prof. Jamal said.
HUMAS UNS
Reporter: Dhelinta Fitri Pramadhanti
Editor: Dwi Hastuti