On June 19 and 20, 2024, Sunan Ampel State Islamic University (UINSA) sent its students to take part in the Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) program which was distributed in several villages in Probolinggo, Lumajang, Pasuruan, and Banyuwangi. This program involves 6th semester students from all Study Programs, including the Mathematics Education study program, which has been divided into randomly selected groups.
The departure of the students was organized in two batches to facilitate the process of their placement in the destination villages. On June 19, the group heading to Pasuruan and Probolinggo departed, followed by those assigned to Lumajang and Banyuwangi on June 20.
This 40-day program has become a long-awaited and challenging moment for UINSA students. Tanaya Az Zhara, a student of Mathematics Education, admitted that she was very excited to run this KKN program.
“The feeling is certainly very exciting because this is a new adventure for me which is my first time away from home especially for 40 days so I’m really excited,” she said.
The big hope of the students who take part in the UINSA 2024 KKN program is to gain a deeper understanding of the real conditions of the community, as well as to develop adaptability and effective contribution. One of the Mathematics Education students, Nabila Najah Wardani, expressed her hope for this program.
“Hopefully with this KKN, we as students can get to know the real situation in society, so that we can provide relevant and useful solutions,” she expressed.
Each KKN group has a specific theme that will guide their activities, designed to be tailored to the needs of the village community where they are assigned. Although the exact activity plan is still under development, students are expected to design effective work programs based on the theme and the results of observations in the field. This was also explained by Elha Aliyyuddin, who is also a Mathematics Education student.
“Regarding the work program plan, there is still no plan, what is clear is that we are just trying to adjust to life there,” he explained.
Although a detailed plan has not been set, students have prepared themselves well, especially in terms of mental preparation. Before implementing this program, they have also received debriefing from the campus that covers various technical and social aspects needed for the implementation of activities in the field. This debriefing is expected to help them perform community service more effectively and meaningfully.
One of the main challenges that the students will face is to be able to build a strong and trusting relationship with the villagers where they are placed.
“The biggest challenge is to be able to bind the hearts of the villagers around here. As long as we manage to get the hearts of the community, we will definitely do well,” said Tanaya.
In the end, UINSA’s KKN program in 2024 is one of the strategic steps in preparing students with real and relevant field experience. With the active participation of students, lecturers, and all related parties, it is hoped that this program can provide significant benefits both for UINSA students and for the villagers who become KKN locations.
