Ministry prepares campus programme to aid post-earthquake recovery in NTT
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has prepared the Student Impact Programme titled Student Action for Learning and Community Empowerment (Aksara Mahasiswa) to support the handling and recovery of disaster-affected areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
In a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto expressed appreciation for the concern and swift action of students, student executive bodies, and the entire academic community, particularly from Nusa Cendana University (Undana) and Mataram University (Unram), who have moved directly to affected locations to assist the community.
He said the involvement shows that students do not only learn in classrooms but are also able to bring knowledge, solidarity, and solutions when the community needs them.
“Undana and Unram students have gone directly to help communities in affected locations. This is a real manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation as well as genuine learning. Campuses must be present, move, and provide direct benefits to the community,” he said.
Minister Brian explained that his ministry will strengthen and coordinate the involvement of higher education institutions and students in handling and post-disaster recovery through the Aksara Mahasiswa programme.
He said all campuses and students can take roles according to their expertise, capacity, and needs on the ground.
These contributions include meeting the basic needs of the community, health services, psychosocial support and trauma recovery, disaster impact data collection, disaster education, and assistance for social and economic recovery of the community.
“Every higher education institution has expertise and resources that can be mobilised. Some are strong in health, psychology, engineering, education, disaster management, and community empowerment. Through Aksara Mahasiswa, all these strengths will be synergised so that the assistance provided is well-targeted, coordinated, and sustainable,” said the minister.
Brian said the programme also serves as a contextual learning space for students to apply knowledge in addressing real problems.
Its implementation will be coordinated with higher education institutions, local governments, and relevant stakeholders while prioritising the safety of student volunteers.
Separately, the Indonesian government affirmed its commitment to accelerating emergency handling and recovery following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that shook the Flores region.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that the presence of ministers and agency heads in NTT since the first day of the incident is a form of government concern and commitment to assist affected communities.
“Since the first day of the incident we have been in NTT to inspect the field and discuss accelerating recovery,” said the coordinating minister.