Indonesia
Two master’s students from Universitas Islam Malang, Mellysa Isnaini (Master in Public Administration) and Rahma Maliana (Master in Mathematics Education), presented their community engagement experience at the Fifth National Conference on Community Service (KOPEMAS 5).
KOPEMAS 5, organized by UNISMA’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), carried the theme “Innovative Strategies in Community Service: Policy Synergy to Realize an Advanced Indonesia.”
The hybrid conference was held offline at the Ustman bin Affan Building, 7th Floor, and drew more than 251 presenters, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as practitioners from 13 provinces across Indonesia.
The students’ Community Service Master Candidate (KKM) experience, conducted alongside EPNU at MTs NWDI Pangsor Gunung, was developed into a scholarly article titled “Serving by Building Character-Driven Generations through Gender Equality and Anti-Bullying Education.” The initiative aimed to raise awareness among students in East Lombok and address the erosion of moral values within educational environments.
At the conference, both students and lecturers participated not only as attendees but also as speakers, presenting research findings and community service programs implemented in various regions of Indonesia.
In his welcoming remarks, the Rector of UNISMA, Prof. Drs. H. Junaidi, M.Pd., Ph.D., reaffirmed the university’s institutional commitment. “As a higher education leader, we remain dedicated to strengthening the quality of community service. We fully support strategic initiatives that integrate national policy and contribute to the vision of an Advanced Indonesia,” he said.
“We believe that collaboration among universities and relevant stakeholders will generate strong synergy to advance the nation,” Prof. Junaidi added.
The Rector officially opened KOPEMAS 5, which was conducted in a hybrid format.
“As master’s candidates, we are expected not only to master theoretical frameworks but also to deliver practical solutions for society,” Mellysa stated.
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Prior to the presentation sessions, the conference featured a keynote seminar delivered by Prof. Dr. Ir. M. Faiz Syuaib, M.Agr., Director of Research, Technology and Community Service, and Prof. Dr. Okid Parama Astirin, MS, National Assessor for Community Service.
Prof. Faiz urged academics to transform campuses into sources of societal impact. “Let us turn our university into a water tower, whose flow is anticipated and beneficial to the wider community,” he remarked.
Prof. Okid emphasized that community service initiatives must be comprehensive and outcome-oriented. “We must resolve community problems thoroughly. For instance, in coastal fishing communities, assistance should extend from production and packaging to marketing,” he explained.
Through this conference, it is expected that students and lecturers will systematically document their community service activities in the form of scientific publications, ensuring that their societal contributions are both impactful and academically recorded. (MEL/AL/PPS)
