Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA) has once again sent the students to participate in the Kandidat Sarjana Mengabdi (KSM) program. On Monday (February 3), a total of 933 students were dispatched to 21 villages in Malang Regency. This program carries the theme “Together with the Community to Create a Sustainable Prosperous Village.”
According to the Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) UNISMA, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mahayu Woro Lestari, M.P., KSM students are not only present in the villages to provide physical assistance but also to bring innovations and science-based solutions. They have been equipped with skills relevant to their fields of study to identify and develop village potential, ensuring lasting benefits for the community.
This year, there has been a policy change regarding KSM requirements. Previously, students needed to complete 100 credits (SKS) to join the program, but now they can register after completing 80 SKS. This change has led to an increase in the number of participants compared to previous periods.
Students will serve for six weeks, with each group consisting of 10 to 11 students from various study programs. Each village will host around four KSM groups. Prof. Woro emphasized that this interdisciplinary format encourages collaboration and strengthens problem-solving efforts in villages.
“The presence of students in the villages is not just about providing labour or materials but more about discovering and developing existing potential. They are expected to introduce innovations and fresh ideas to help communities grow,” she explained. Before being deployed, students conduct surveys to understand the conditions of their assigned villages. This allows them to prepare strategies to support key sectors such as small businesses (UMKM). They can contribute to product innovation, packaging improvement, halal certification, and digital marketing. The goal is for communities to become more independent and productive even after the program ends.
In addition to developing villages, KSM students this year will also experience a unique challenge as most of their service period coincides with Ramadan. They are expected to adapt to the community’s needs, including participating in religious activities such as leading tarawih prayers and guiding Quran recitations.
Beyond Malang Regency, UNISMA is also sending a KSM group to Thailand. This group, from the Faculty of Medicine, has already departed to collaborate with students from the Volunteer Spirit Association (VSA) through a partnership with the Dejavato Foundation.
Through this program, UNISMA expects that students will become agents of change, making a positive impact on society while honing their innovation skills to address various challenges in village communities.
