Ministry of Higher Education: 5,040 Students Involved in Aceh Post-Disaster Recovery
Jakarta – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has recorded 5,040 students from 36 higher education institutions contributing to post-disaster recovery efforts in Aceh through the Student Impact Programme.
The students have been deployed across 102 funded proposals designed to support the social, economic, and environmental recovery of affected communities.
I Ketut Adnyana, Director of Research and Community Engagement at Kemdiktisaintek’s Directorate General of Research and Development, emphasised that the programme forms part of a broader transformation of higher education to become more contextual and responsive to community needs.
“Students and the government will continue to stand alongside communities. The presence of these students is expected to provide spirit and optimism for communities to recover from hardship and foster belief that their future will be better through the utilisation of available resources and technology. This is tangible evidence of higher education that creates genuine impact,” Adnyana stated in a statement released in Jakarta on Friday.
Community service activities encompass the provision of clean water, sanitation improvement, strengthening food security, supporting education and health services, and environmental rehabilitation.
Adnyana noted that all activities are implemented collaboratively, involving students, faculty supervisors, local government, and community members to ensure programme sustainability.
Beyond directly benefiting communities, the programme also serves as a contextual learning platform for students to develop leadership skills, social empathy, and problem-solving capabilities in the field.
“This programme demonstrates that universities function not merely as centres for knowledge development but also as strategic partners in community recovery and empowerment. We hope this programme continues so that increasing numbers of communities can receive assistance and rebuild their lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kampung Dalam Village Head Sukriya Sidiqi praised student contributions in his area. Prior to the programme’s implementation, he noted, the village faced numerous challenges, particularly in managing productive economies and accessing adequate sanitation.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to the students who have come to Kampung Dalam. This programme is extremely beneficial for us. We hope these activities will continue and provide even broader benefits to our community,” Sidiqi said.