UAD Launches Salam Village Empowerment Programme Through Waste Management Innovation

Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to community development by launching a community service programme in Salam Village, Salam District, Magelang Regency, Central Java. The programme, themed ‘Empowerment of Assisted Villages Through Waste Management Innovation and Sociopreneurship Towards an Environmentally Based Tourism Village Pilot’, is part of the 2026 Community Service Grant Programme from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek). The initiative is led by Ir Okka Adiyanto as team leader, with Ir Utaminingsih Linarti as a member. The launch was attended by Salam Village Head Zuhanif, village officials, and Harjono, a representative from Salam District, demonstrating synergy between the university and local government for sustainable village development. Team leader Okka Adiyanto stated that the programme is a continuation and strengthening of activities carried out over the previous two years. He explained that the series of activities will run until December 2026 and include subprogrammes such as enhancing the capacity of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) in waste management and transforming the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) into a community economic support group through sociopreneurship. Okka noted that waste management is viewed not only as an environmental effort but also as an opportunity to create new economic value supporting Salam Village’s development as an environmentally based tourism destination. The programme also serves as a learning platform for UAD students through a Thematic Community Service Programme (KKN), where students from various study programmes assist the community in implementing the designed initiatives. Okka highlighted that the Thematic KKN is special because it provides students with real experience in community empowerment while being recognised as part of their academic coursework. Through collaboration between lecturers, students, village government, and the community, the programme is expected to create a sustainable empowerment model, particularly in environmental management and community-based economic development. Okka expressed hope that the 2026 programme will achieve all its targets and receive a positive evaluation from Kemdiktisaintek, allowing the multi-year grant to continue and secure funding for up to three years, thereby delivering increasingly tangible and sustainable impacts for the people of Salam Village.