Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted an Alumni Gathering and Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) of Community Service Program (KKN) in Batam, Riau Islands. The event, held on Tuesday (16/7), was attended by various personage, including the Chair of KAGAMA Riau Islands, the Chair of KAGAMA Batam Sugeng Riyadi, the President Director of PT Bandara Internasional Batam and UGM Faculty of Economics and Business alumnus Pikri Ilham Kurniansyah, M.B.A., and representatives from UGM.
Dr. Arie Sujito, S.Sos., M.Si., Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni at UGM was also present. In his speech, he expressed appreciation for the rapid progress of KAGAMA Riau Islands. “This event is part of UGM’s efforts to continue fostering familial ties with alumni. Our efforts to maintain these bonds are essential,” emphasized Dr. Arie.
During the event, Dr. Arie Sujito also reminded KKN students to embrace the culture of the Riau Islands. He hoped that alumni in the Riau Islands would maintain their connection with UGM to keep the sense of community alive.
The Alumni Gathering and KKN Monev also served as a platform to discuss potential collaborations between UGM and the Batam City Government. This aligns with UGM’s efforts to advance the Tri Dharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community service—to achieve sustainable development based on community participation.
“We are pleased that the Vice Rector visited Batam. We seek guidance from the Vice Rector on how KAGAMA Batam and Riau can move forward,” said Prof. Dr. H. M. Soerya Respationo, S.H., M.H., M.M., Chair of KAGAMA Riau Islands.
The following day, UGM and KAGAMA Batam conducted a mangrove planting activity at Pandang Tak Jemu Mangrove Ecotourism in Batam. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UGM takes part in this initiative to support environmental conservation and sustainable development.
“Planting mangroves is part of UGM’s commitment to caring for the environment and the planet for the future. This is a moral responsibility for future generations, ensuring the well-being of Indonesia,” Dr. Arie stated.
The Alumni Gathering, KKN Monev, and mangrove planting in Batam demonstrate UGM’s commitment to maintaining connections with alumni and making a tangible contribution to society. Additionally, UGM’s mangrove planting underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship. The collaboration between UGM and KAGAMA continues to play a crucial role in advancing the tri dharma of higher education—education, research, and community service—thus delivering a positive and sustainable impact on society and the environment.
[Alumni Office: Kamila, Translated: Aldiza, Photo: Lusi]