Thousands of students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) embarked on a transformative journey as they were officially dispatched for Community Service Learning (KKN) and Educational Practice programs in 2025. This massive mobilization represents one of the university’s most significant contributions to community development and educational advancement across Indonesia and beyond.
UNY Rector Dispatches Thousands of Students for KKN and Educational Practice Programs 2025
On Monday, July 21, 2025, the courtyard of UNY’s Rectorate building witnessed a momentous ceremony as Prof. Sumaryanto, the university’s rector, formally launched the Community Service Learning (KKN) and Educational Practice (PK) programs for the odd semester of academic year 2025/2026. The event combined both online and offline participation, reflecting the modern approach to educational ceremonies.
Philosophy and Values Behind the Mission
During his address, Prof. Sumaryanto emphasized that these programs mark a pivotal transition for students as they approach the conclusion of their academic journey. Moreover, he encouraged participants to internalize the values embedded in Indonesia’s national anthem and UNY’s hymn as moral foundations for their community service.
The rector drew inspiration from traditional Javanese wisdom, quoting the Pucung philosophy:
“Ngelmu iku kelakone kanthi laku” – Knowledge is realized through action.
This philosophical approach underscores the university’s commitment to bridging theoretical learning with practical application in real-world settings.
Strategic Partnership with Blora Regency
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this year’s program involves the placement of students in Blora Regency. The local government has pledged to donate 8.5 hectares of land for UNY’s Off-Campus Study Program (PSDKU) development. Furthermore, the regent of Blora will personally welcome the KKN participants, demonstrating unprecedented institutional support for this educational collaboration.
Prof. Sumaryanto specifically urged students assigned to Blora to uphold their alma mater’s reputation, given the strategic importance of this partnership for future university-community collaborations.
Comprehensive Geographic Coverage
The KKN participants will be distributed across an impressive geographical scope, including:
- 5 regions within the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY)
- 8 regencies in Central Java: Blora, Klaten, Kebumen, Purworejo, Banjarnegara, Magelang, and Wonogiri
- Pacitan Regency in East Java
- West Jakarta
Meanwhile, Educational Practice students will extend their reach even further, covering 5 DIY regions, 9 Central Java regencies, plus locations in Bangka Belitung and West Sumatra.
International Dimension of Educational Practice
UNY’s global outlook is evident through its international Educational Practice placements. Students will gain valuable experience at:
- UPSI and UTM universities in Malaysia
- Indonesian School Bangkok, Thailand
- Indonesian School Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
This international component aligns with modern educational trends that emphasize global competency and cross-cultural understanding in higher education.
Structured Timeline and Implementation
Dr. Banu Setyo Adi, Head of the KKN, PK, PI, and Internship Unit, outlined the program’s dual-phase structure. Unlike previous years, the 2025 implementation features two distinct periods: non-educational KKN and Educational Practice from July 21 to September 26, 2025, followed by educational KKN from October through December 2025.
“Students will not only bring theoretical knowledge from campus but will also learn from local wisdom present in communities and schools,” Dr. Adi explained, highlighting the reciprocal nature of this educational exchange.
Impact-Driven Educational Movement
This initiative embodies UNY’s “Impact Movement” (UNY Berdampak), which continuously promotes integration between higher education and community service through sustainable innovation. Additionally, it represents the tangible implementation of the “Impactful Science and Technology Higher Education” program—a synergistic effort between UNY and the Directorate of Higher Education in Science and Technology.
The symbolic dispatch ceremony featured Prof. Sumaryanto presenting participant badges to student representatives, including ‘Afiffudin and Nanda Afry Pramita (assigned to Central Lombok), Ibnu Syahid Ismail (SMA UII placement), and Firda Fajri Hermawan (Indonesian School Bangkok, Thailand).
Impressive Participation Numbers
The scale of this year’s program is remarkable, with 5,044 students participating in KKN and 4,188 in Educational Practice programs. The ceremony itself hosted 1,112 student representatives in person, alongside university leadership, directorate directors, and field coordinators.
Through the spirit of UNY Berdampak and Diktisaintek Berdampak, these thousands of students stand ready to fulfill their strategic roles as agents of change in society. They carry with them not only academic knowledge but also collaborative spirit and sustainable service commitment that will create lasting positive impact in communities across Indonesia and beyond.
