The Directorate of Community Service (DPkM) actively participated in the AAS-in-Asia 2024 Expo and Conference, held at Grha Sabha Pramana, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), from July 9 to 11, 2024. This international event attracted approximately 1,500 academics, students, artists, and practitioners from 43 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Australia.
As part of the university’s Tri Dharma (Three Pillars of Higher Education), particularly in the area of community service, DPkM showcased and promoted a range of its community engagement programs during the expo. These programs included the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Yogyakarta, which works together with local communities to advance Education for Sustainable Development through community service initiatives; the Disaster Response Unit (DERU); Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) supported by DPkM and Gama Multi; and the Student Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program (SCS-CEL), commonly known as KKN-PPM (Community Service and Empowerment Learning Program).
The event provided an important opportunity for DPkM to engage with a global audience and share best practices in community service and community empowerment. The presence of international participants highlighted the importance of global partnerships in addressing shared challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
On July 10, 2024, several AAS participants visited a KKN-PPM project site at Unit Mlati YO-053 in Tirtoadi Village, Mlati District, Sleman Regency. This visit allowed participants to directly observe the impact of community service programs implemented by UGM students.
One participant, Kay Shimazu from the University of Pittsburgh, expressed appreciation for the KKN-PPM program, noting that she learned a great deal from the experiences shared by both the students and local community leaders. She also emphasized the importance of such programs in promoting community empowerment and improving the quality of life of local residents. According to her, the initiatives carried out by the students play a significant role in supporting sustainable development.
The AAS-in-Asia 2024 Expo and Conference also served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. The event underscored the need for collective efforts to address global challenges and achieve the SDGs.
DPkM’s participation in this event reflects its strong commitment to community service and its role in fostering global partnerships. The Directorate’s efforts in promoting sustainable development and enhancing the well-being of local communities were well received by the international audience.
**Author/Editor:** Dn_Halimah / DPkM Public Relations