UPI Conduct the Individual Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) During COVID-19 Pandemic

Bandung, UPI

The spread of the COVID-19 in Indonesia didn’t affect Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) to continue giving the best for the people of Indonesia, especially people in West Java. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, UPI will conduct the Individual Thematic Community Service Program (KKN).

This program discussed in the General Meeting held on Wednesday (15/04) attended by Rector of UPI and all the work unit leaders as many as 42 work units. This meeting also supported by the UPIsiagaCOVID-19 Program Task Force that showed the stretch and positive dynamics during the COVID-19 emergency period.

As one of the largest universities in West Java, Rector of UPI wants UPI to give the best for the government, society, and religion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The desire was sparked by promoting several initiations and innovative programs needed by the community and government in the form of UPI’s “Educating” theme. Among the programs initiated by UPI is the COVID-19 Individual Thematic Community Service Program (KKN).

Stated by the head of LPPM UPI that this community service program is one of the flagship programs from several “UPI Siaga COVID-19” programs that have been mapped in the chart below.

For the preparation, LPPM UPI compiled guidelines for the COVID-19 model Community Service program. These guidelines have been prepared, and immediately adjusted to their legal basis. Furthermore, the guideline document will be immediately criticized by all Vice Deans for Academic and Student Affairs, stated the Head of LPPM UPI, Prof. Ahmad.

According to the coordinator of this activity, Dr. Katiah explained that the UPI Community Service Program with friends from the COVID-19 Thematic Community Service Program was also intended to support, realize, and serve the Freedom of Education Program (Program Merdeka Belajar) from the Ministry of Education and Culture. This KKN is in an individual form, meaning that where the student is located, that’s where they can carry out this KKN program.

Dr. Katiah also stated that this KKN is a special one. The programs in the guide are all compatible and following UPI Rector’s policy. The needs of the assessment and implementation of this activity will use digital-based data that is processed through a special format. Thus all the assessment formats have so far been synergized with all activities coordinators at UPI.

Certainly, the implementation of the Thematic KKN is expected to be carried out while maintaining the health of the students themselves. The point is that this independent UPI Community Service Program will be implemented as soon as possible. Until now 66 students are ready to conduct KKN activities that are also ready to produce Masks, especially for students from the UPI Fashion Design Study Program.

The implementation of the Independent Community Service Program is still coordinated with the KKN participant data team with the ICT Directorate for data entry for registration. Students who have joined in volunteering in UPIsiagaCOVID-19 activities have already entered KKN activities. For data collection and validation, all that remains is to be followed up with data and an assessment of their role so far based on the assessment form from LPPM.

One of the Thematic Community Service Program activities is also directed at helping the West Java government program in the distribution of BLT. So the expectation is that it has been coordinated that UPI has a target of helping the Bandung City Diskominfo through the Thematic Community Service Program. For example, projections from these individual Thematic KKN activities will obtain valid data and the regional government in carrying out the distribution of BLT in the West Java region. Thus the fulfillment of valid data will be very much needed and it will be assisted through the thematic KKN program from LPPM UPI. (DD)