Photo Source: https://harianppu.online/2019/08/01/30-mahasiswa-ugm-jalani-kkn-di-kecamatan-waru/
Keluarga Alumni Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA) Balikpapan visited Panajam Paser Utara (PPU) on Tuesday (2/8). They were welcomed by Secretary of Regional Government of PPU, Drs. H. Tohar, M.M., in Kabupaten PPU Government Office.
Tohar hoped that this visit could make partnership connected between PPU and UGM which already running well for past few years
“On behalf of Regional Government, we congratulate and welcome KAGAMA community in Kabupaten PPU. We hope that partnership between PPU and UGM will always go nicely,” Tohar said.
Nicko Herlambang, Head of Development of Kabupaten PPU Secretariat, and also liaison officer for KAGAMA Balikpapan said that this is the second time that KAGAMA visited Kabupaten PPU after 30 Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) UGM students came in prior visit. Previous KKN UGM students were deal with many healthcare issue but KKN UGM students this year were focused on ecotourism development especially in Kecamatan Waru, Kabupaten PPU. There were 30 KKN UGM students in Kecamatan Waru collaborated with 9 people from STT Migas.
“KKN UGM students are doing collaboration with PPU Regional Government related to ecotourism development in Kecamatan Waru. They will do research about ecotourism progress in there and what kind of solution we can do to the tourism sector in Kecamatan Waru, “ Nicko said.
Similar to Tohar, Nicko also said that they are really appreciating KAGAMA Balikpapan visit and Nicko expected that during this visit, there will be partnership happening so the relationship between UGM and Kabupaten PPU will always well connected. Nicko also hoped for KAGAMA support on ecotourism development in Kecamatan Waru so it will gives economy support for the local community surrounding there.
The regional government proposal related to KKN fund for this program was approved in APBD Perubahan 2019. The ecotourism development could be maximized with this fund. Moreover, KAGAMA gave donation in form of 1.000 bamboo seeds for first stage, which will be used in bamboo arboretum making.
KAGAMA also made discussion related to Rector of UGM visit to Kabupaten PPU which will be held on September this year. On this visit, there also will be a discussion about UGM alumni gathering preparation for East Kalimantan alumni which will be held in Balikpapan. During this opportunity, KAGAMA planned to donate another 1.000 bamboo seeds for ecotourism development in Kecamatan Waru.