YOGYAKARTA — UIN Sunan Kalijaga has launched a pre-departure briefing for its annual Community Service Program (KKN), preparing 3,725 students for deployment across Indonesia and abroad.

The briefing, organized by the university’s Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM), was officially opened on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) at the campus Multipurpose Building, marking the start of a key academic program that connects classroom learning with real-world community engagement.

LPPM Chair said the program is designed not merely as a routine academic requirement, but as a strategic platform to generate tangible impact for students, communities, and the institution.

“We expect this program to create meaningful impact for all parties involved. Students have known their groups, supervisors, and assigned locations three months in advance, allowing them to design well-prepared programs,” the chair said.

The university has also introduced several improvements, including enhancements to the KKN information system, broader placement distribution, and expanded student services. Health coverage through the national insurance scheme has also been ensured.

“In addition, we have redesigned the preparatory process into a more comprehensive system, with ten structured sessions to ensure students are fully prepared before entering the field,” the chair added.

Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Abdur Rozaki, described the program as a critical phase in students’ academic journey, where theoretical knowledge meets societal realities.

“Students spend semesters learning on campus, but the peak of knowledge is reached when it engages directly with social realities,” he said.

He emphasized that the university’s inclusive and moderate Islamic identity should be reflected in students’ engagement with communities, particularly in promoting non-violent and socially responsive religious perspectives.

“Innovations developed through this program should reflect the spirit of rahmatan lil ‘alamin. Students must be mentally prepared, stay motivated, and build strong collaboration with local communities,” he added.

Rector Noorhaidi Hasan described this year’s program as part of a broader institutional transformation.

“This is an extraordinary and distinctive KKN program,” he said, noting that the initiative has evolved beyond community service into a platform for educational innovation and development.

He highlighted the diversity of program locations as a form of “social laboratory,” citing areas such as Bali, known for its multicultural dynamics, and Bengkulu, which has experienced communal conflict.

Addressing the students, he urged them to uphold institutional values throughout the program.

“You should be proud to represent UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Equip yourselves, uphold religious and national values, and maintain ethical conduct at all times,” he said.

The official launch was marked by a ceremonial gong strike by the rector.

This year, the program also expands its international reach, with 20 selected students participating in overseas placements in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.

Domestically, students will be deployed to regions including Southwest Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara, Bireuen in Aceh, Karangasem in Bali, Morowali, and Sintang in West Kalimantan. Thousands of others will be assigned across Yogyakarta and other parts of Indonesia.

The expanded geographical scope reflects a shift in the program’s direction—from a locally focused initiative to one with national and global engagement.

As the university continues its transformation, the KKN program is positioned as more than an academic requirement, serving as a bridge between knowledge and humanity, where students not only contribute to society but also deepen their understanding of it.