BSKDN Invites Cenderawasih University Students to Develop Innovation Based on Local Wisdom
The head of the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Yusharto Huntoyungo, has invited students of Cenderawasih University (Uncen) participating in the Community Service Programme (KKN) to deliver local wisdom-based innovation to drive sustainable development in Yapen Islands Regency.
According to Yusharto, the potential held by local communities will have a greater impact if developed through an innovative approach involving collaboration between universities, regional governments and society.
He made the remarks during an event on Community Empowerment Based on Local Wisdom and Creative Economy Strengthening in Yapen Islands Regency, combined with a symbolic send-off for Uncen KKN students at the Uncen Auditorium in Jayapura on Thursday (16/7).
In his presentation, Yusharto stressed that the KKN programme is not merely part of fulfilling academic obligations. Rather, it is also a space for students to implement their knowledge in addressing various development challenges within communities.
“The presence of students must bring added value to the community. KKN is an opportunity to give birth to innovative solutions, strengthen community empowerment and optimise local potential as capital for regional development,” he said.
Yusharto explained that Yapen Islands Regency possesses diverse potential that could be developed into new economic strengths, ranging from the fisheries and agriculture sectors to tourism and the cultural wealth of indigenous communities.
According to him, all of this potential needs to be managed creatively without abandoning the local wisdom values inherited from generation to generation.
He regarded local wisdom not merely as cultural heritage, but as social capital capable of forming the foundation for regional innovation relevant to community needs.
For this reason, KKN students are expected to uncover this potential, develop it into various empowerment programmes, and encourage the creation of greater economic value for local communities.
“We do not always have to start from something new. Many solutions are actually born from local strengths that communities already possess. Your task is to help develop this potential through approaches that are more innovative, creative and adaptive to changing times,” he said.
Beyond producing work programmes during their service period, students are also expected to leave behind good practices that can be continued by communities and the regional government after the KKN programme ends.
In this way, the benefits of the programme do not stop at ceremonial activities, but are able to create sustainable change.
Yusharto added that successful regional development is determined not only by the size of budgets or infrastructure, but also by the quality of human resources capable of creating innovation suited to the characteristics of each region.
Therefore, universities hold a strategic role as partners of regional governments in strengthening community capacity through research, community service and innovation.