Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta continues its commitment to developing education in different parts of Indonesia. Through its Office of Research, Publication, and Social Services (LP3M), UMY granted Sekolah Dasar (SD) Lab Muhammadiyah Kokoda Elementary School funds to build a new building on Sunday (22/9) in the Wormon Village, Kokoda, Sorong District, West Papua Province. The funds were given to increase the number of educational facilities. In the past, UMY in cooperation with Mahardika Bakti Nusantara (MBN) Group has built a Reading House as part of its social services (KKN) program in Indonesia’s Frontier Regions (3T).
The head of LP3M UMY’s Service Division Dr. Adhianty Nurjanah, S.Sos.,M.Si., stated that this is an attempt to increase the quality of human resources (SDM) through education. The results may not be visible in the short term, but it will benefit the future generations. To that end, the teaching and learning facilities must be improved.
“LP3M, alongside the students in their KKN program, has helped empower the Kokoda tribe for the last few years. Initially, our focus was to improve the living quality of the public through education. To that end, UMY through LP3M granted 25 million Rupiah to the local elementary school so they can build a new building,” She stated during the grant-giving ceremony.
SD Lab Muhammadiyah Kokoda has dozens of students from the surrounding area. To maximize the teaching and learning process, new classrooms need to be built. Adhiyanti added that the locals truly appreciated the help UMY has given them. This can be seen from an increased interest to learn among locals.
“Empowerment is more than just giving material goods. It also involves guiding and increasing awareness of the quality of education. Good empowerment will help inspire the group to be independent,” She added.
At the end of the session, she hopes that the school can develop quickly and independently to educate a better generation that can develop their region. “Hopefully, the future generation can develop this region to be better,” She closed. (ak)