The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya (FFMS UB), is organizing a Community Service Program (PkM) through Thematic Community Service (KKN-T) in 2024 in Blitar Regency. This activity serves as an experiential learning opportunity for students to engage directly with the community, understand real-life conditions, and contribute solutions to various existing problems. This year’s KKN-T will take place from July to August 2024 in 40 villages in Blitar Regency, East Java, under the theme “FFMS UB Building Villages.” A total of 838 students from six undergraduate programs at FFMS UB will participate in this activity.
The KKN-T program has several specific objectives, including compiling village profiles that encompass the potential of natural resources, human resources, social conditions, and the local economy. Additionally, students will implement interaction programs with the community according to the needs or potential of the villages, such as fish farming, fish processing, water environment management, ecotourism, capture fisheries, and salt production management. Furthermore, students will create a photobook containing information on unique aspects, such as the potential and development of ecotourism, customs, and social and cultural conditions.
Several themes have been determined for this year’s KKN-T, including fishery product processing, where students will be involved in fishery product processing activities, including fish processing and other fishery products. In the aquaculture theme, students will learn and participate in fish farming, both in ponds and in fish tanks. The ecotourism theme will focus on developing local tourism potential, including promoting tourist destinations and managing tourism attractions. In addition, under the theme of aquatic, coastal, and marine environment management, students will engage in efforts to preserve aquatic, coastal, and marine environments and address existing environmental issues. The capture fisheries theme will enable students to make a positive contribution to the community and environment around capture fisheries areas. Under the salt production management theme, students will initiate the design of new salt production technologies, production processes, and salt quality analysis.
The series of KKN-T activities begins with briefings and pre-field activities conducted on July 3-4, 2024, at FFMS UB online via the Zoom platform. The KKN-T implementation itself will take place from July 8 to August 5, 2024, with field supervision and facilitation provided by field supervisors and facilitators. After the field implementation, post-field activities and report preparation will be conducted on August 19-23, 2024, including the preparation of village profile books, photobooks, and village profile videos. Finally, the KKN-T examination will be held on August 26-30, 2024.
On Monday, July 8, 2027, the official departure of the 2024 KKN-T student participants was conducted by the organizing committee. In his remarks, the Dean of FFMS UB, Prof. Maftuch, stated that many memorable and important lessons would be gained during the KKN-T. Furthermore, the performance of KKN-T student participants will be evaluated by Field Supervisors (DPL). Coordination and communication will be led by the Village Coordinator (Kordes), which is crucial for the success of the activity. Safety is also a priority with insurance coverage, and adherence to village rules and norms must be well observed.
Through this KKN-T activity, FFMS UB students are expected to gain valuable experiences and make tangible contributions to village development in Blitar Regency, particularly in the fisheries and marine sectors. This activity is also expected to strengthen the relationship between the university and the community, enhance the quality of Universitas Brawijaya’s tri dharma, and assist villages in achieving their SDG targets.
