Public information disclosure is one of the essential foundations for building governance that is transparent, accountable, and trustworthy. Understanding of the public's right to information, alongside public bodies' obligation to manage that information, needs to be continually strengthened, including at the village government level.

That spirit was reflected in the outreach session “Legal Education on Public Information Disclosure to Build Accountable Village Governance,” held at the Wunung Village Hall, Wonosari Sub-district, Gunungkidul Regency, on Friday, August 21, 2026. The session was part of the closing ceremony for UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's Batch 120 KKN (Community Service Program) students.

The event was attended by all members of the Batch 120 KKN team, Wunung Village officials, two Field Supervising Lecturers (DPL), Riswanti Budi Sekaringsih, M.Sc., and Ihya Ulumuddin, M.Sos., as well as the Internal Oversight Unit (SPI) team and PPID (Public Information and Documentation Management Official) team from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, namely Syaifullahil Maslul, M.H., Syaiful Fakhri, M.Psi., and Noviastuti Putri Indrasari, M.A.

During the session, Syaifullahil Maslul, M.H., who is also Secretary of the SPI and a lecturer at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's Faculty of Sharia and Law, presented material on the importance of understanding public information disclosure correctly and responsibly. The outreach was designed to build shared understanding of what information the public can access, and what information must remain protected.

According to Syaifullahil, the shifting paradigm in information management is pushing government to become increasingly open. Even so, that openness still needs to be paired with care in managing information, particularly personal information and information falling under the exempted category.

“Information has shifted. What used to mostly be kept closed has now shifted toward being open,” he said. For that reason, every piece of information shared with the public must be able to be accounted for.

He also stressed the importance of village governments understanding the distinction between information the government generates itself and personal information belonging to the public that happens to be in the government's possession. Data such as personal identification, diplomas, CVs, and phone numbers, for example, still need to be kept confidential in line with the relevant context and applicable regulations.

Beyond building an understanding of disclosure principles, the outreach also emphasized the importance of managing information systematically, including through an understanding of the Public Information List (DIP) and the Exempted Information List (DIK). This step matters so that public bodies can share information appropriately while also protecting information that genuinely cannot be disclosed to the public.

This activity also demonstrates UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's role in building a culture of information disclosure not only within the campus itself, but also through community service and the sharing of knowledge with the public.

The collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga's SPI and PPID teams in this activity forms part of the effort to bring both institutional perspective and practical knowledge on information management. The presence of the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta team within the community offered a space to share experience and strengthen the understanding that information disclosure is part of good governance.

For UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, information disclosure is more than simply fulfilling an administrative obligation. It is part of a broader effort to build public trust through information management that is transparent, accurate, and accountable.

This also aligns with UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's commitment to building good institutional governance. Knowledge and experience developed within the university are directed toward delivering broader benefit through community service activities.

Syaifullahil expressed openness to continuing communication and collaboration with Wunung Village going forward, particularly in strengthening understanding of public information disclosure. “Going forward, we hope to collaborate again on aligning public information practices,” he said.

This public information disclosure (KIP) outreach session was part of the closing ceremony for Batch 120 KKN students in Wunung Village. After 45 days of community service, students concluded their KKN period by once again putting on their UIN Sunan Kalijaga almamater jackets for the symbolic closing ceremony.

For students, the activity served as a reminder that learning doesn't only happen in the classroom. During their time within the community, students learned to understand real issues, build communication, and help bring useful knowledge to the people they served.

For the community, meanwhile, UIN Sunan Kalijaga's presence is hoped to leave behind more than just a KKN program. Knowledge about information disclosure stands as one asset for continuing to strengthen village governance that is open, accountable, and increasingly connected to the community it serves.

Through this activity, UIN Sunan Kalijaga once again affirms its commitment to making knowledge a path of service, connecting the university with the community and bringing academic knowledge to bear on real life. (humassk)