Koster Launches Village Community Service Programme, Involving Thousands of Students

Bali Governor Wayan Koster launched the Kerthi Bali Sejahtera 2026 Village Community Service Programme at the Art Centre in Denpasar on Wednesday (15/7/2026). The launch was witnessed by thousands of students from various universities in Bali. These students will carry out Community Service Programme (Kuliah Kerja Nyata or KKN) activities in a number of villages across Bali. Koster stated that the programme’s launch was not merely ceremonial, but a concrete step to ground the vision of Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali development through the planned universal development pattern in the New Era Bali. “We want to ensure that Bali’s development is not only centred in cities or tourism areas, but grows and flourishes from the grassroots, namely from the villages,” Koster said in his speech. Koster explained that efforts to realise Bali’s development vision cannot be undertaken by the government alone. According to him, the roles of the community, universities, the business sector, communities, and the media are needed to realise this vision. “This is the spirit of collaboration that we are building today through the community service programme, namely Desa Kerthi Bali Sejahtera,” said the Governor, who hails from Sembiran Village, Tejakula, Buleleng. Koster elaborated that villages are Bali’s main foundation. From the villages, culture is nurtured, nature is preserved, and people are shaped. He said that through education, research, and community service, universities produce superior human resources. “As well as generating various innovations that can provide solutions to various development problems,” he explained. Koster reminded the students that KKN is not merely a fulfilment of academic obligations. According to him, KKN is a form of real presence within the community to listen, understand, and work together with residents. Furthermore, Koster advised the students to be able to solve various problems using the knowledge they have acquired on campus. Students are also required to be innovative, have a leadership spirit, possess integrity, show social concern, and uphold the spirit of mutual cooperation. He expressed hope that all students would leave a real mark of service for the community.