Bali Provincial Government Collaborates with 12,000 Students to Support Development Programmes
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov Bali) is collaborating with 12,000 students from 38 universities across Bali to help accelerate regional development programmes through a Community Service Programme (KKN) conducted simultaneously for the first time.
Governor of Bali Wayan Koster launched the collaborative programme Desa Kerthi Bali Sejahtera, where villages—the main foundation of Bali where culture is nurtured, nature is protected, and people are shaped—become the primary locus of this programme.
“Through this Desa Kerti Bali Sejahtera programme, we integrate the noble values of Sad Kerthi, which include Atma Kerthi, Segara Kerthi, Danu Kerthi, Wana Kerthi, Jana Kerthi, and Jagat Kerthi, into real work programmes in the field,” said Governor Koster.
The Bali Provincial Government initiated this collaboration because it sees higher education institutions as having a very strategic role in helping to accelerate regional development.
“Therefore, this community service programme is not merely the implementation of KKN or the fulfilment of academic obligations; it is a real implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education synergised with the Bali Provincial development policy direction, so that Bali’s development programmes are implemented effectively, efficiently, and on target,” he stated.
In this inaugural collaboration, more than 12,000 students are involved, along with over 900 field supervisors. According to Koster, this number represents a very large intellectual force if directed to help the community solve various development problems.
The Bali Provincial Government wants to ensure that Bali’s development is not only centred in cities or tourism areas but grows from the grassroots, namely the villages.
“I hope that all students will be able to leave a real mark of dedication in the context of village development through this community service activity,” he said.
The Desa Kerthi Bali Sejahtera community service programme is directed at accelerating the implementation of the Bali Provincial Government’s priority development programmes, including source-based waste management, the Bali Clean Waste movement, and the restriction of single-use plastic bags.
Other priorities include the protection of lakes, springs, rivers, and the sea; strengthening organic farming systems; the use and marketing of local Balinese products; strengthening MSMEs and the village economy; preserving customs, arts, culture, language, script, and Balinese woven fabrics; the one family one scholar programme; and the Nyoman and Ketut incentive to preserve Balinese local wisdom.
“I hope that all students and field supervisors can become partners for village governments, traditional villages, and the community in accelerating the implementation of these various programmes. This is a historic momentum,” Governor Koster remarked.