UAD Launches Salam Village Empowerment Programme Through Waste Management Innovation
Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community development through the implementation of a community service programme in Salam Village, Salam District, Magelang Regency, Central Java. The programme is themed ‘Empowering Assisted Villages Through Waste Management Innovation and Sociopreneurship Towards the Development of Environment-Based Tourism Villages.’
This activity is part of the 2026 Community Service Grant Programme from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The programme is led by Ir Okka Adiyanto as team leader, alongside member Ir Utaminingsih Linarti.
The event was attended by the Head of Salam Village, Zuhanif, along with village government officials and a representative from the Salam District, Harjono. The presence of various government elements demonstrates the synergy between higher education institutions and local governments in achieving sustainable village development.
In his speech, the Head of the Service Team, Ir Okka Adiyanto, stated that the service activities in Salam Village are not a new initiative this year. According to him, the programme is a continuation of activities that have been carried out over the previous two years.
“The service activities in Salam Village are not in their first year. The 2026 programme is a continuation, enhancement, and strengthening of various programmes we have implemented in the two preceding years. We hope that every year will deliver an even greater impact on the community,” said Okka.
He explained that the series of service activities will continue until December 2026. Various sub-programmes have been prepared to strengthen community capacity, including enhancing the capacity of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) in waste management and transforming the PKK Empowerment Team into a community economic support group through the development of sociopreneurship activities.
According to Okka, waste management is viewed not only as an effort to maintain environmental cleanliness but also as an opportunity to create new economic value that can support the realisation of Salam Village as a pilot for environment-based tourism villages.
In addition to involving lecturers, this programme also serves as a learning platform for UAD students through the implementation of Thematic Community Service Programme (KKN Tematik). Students from various study programmes have been deployed to assist the community in implementing the various designed programmes.
“This Thematic KKN activity is special because, in addition to providing real experience to students in community empowerment, its implementation can also be recognised as part of the courses in their respective study programmes. Thus, students gain both academic experience and relevant field practice,” he explained.
Through the collaboration between lecturers, students, the village government, and the community, this programme is expected to create a sustainable empowerment model, particularly in environmental management and community-based economic development.
At the end of his speech, Okka expressed hope that the implementation of the 2026 programme would achieve all set targets to receive a good evaluation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.
“This programme is a multi-year community service grant with annual evaluations. We hope all planned agendas can be implemented well so that this programme can continue and secure funding for the next three years. Thus, the impact generated for the people of Salam Village will become increasingly tangible and sustainable,” he said.
Through this programme, UAD reaffirms its role as a higher education institution that focuses not only on education and research but is also active in providing solutions for the community through service oriented towards sustainability, innovation, and environment-based economic empowerment.