IPB University Sends Off 3.679 Students for the “Innovation” KKNT Program, Ready to Serve in 450 Villages
IPB University sent off 3.679 students to participate in the Thematic Community Service Program (KKNT) on Innovation and Food Security at the IPB Dramaga Campus on Saturday (7/4).
For 40 days, from July 6 to August 14, 2026, the students will serve in 42 regencies and cities across Indonesia. This covers 133 subdistricts and 450 villages and urban neighborhoods, with support from 214 field supervisors and 40 regional coordinators.
The Chairman of the Institute for Agromaritime Development and Innopreneurship Acceleration (LP2AI) at IPB University, Dr Handian Purwawangsa, reported that this year’s KKNT Innovation program carries the theme “Sustainable Development of Agromaritime Communities to Achieve Socio-Resilience.” This theme reflects IPB University’s commitment to strengthening the socioeconomic resilience of communities through innovation.
“To strengthen international partnerships, IPB University also organized the International KKNT by sending eight teams to Malaysia and eight teams to Thailand,” he added.
In addition, there are 20 Food Safety KKNT sites in Bogor Regency organized in collaboration with the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and strategic partners.
“We hope that all students can carry out their community service effectively, make a positive impact on the community, and gain valuable experience in applying the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom,” said Dr Handian.
The Acting Rector (Plh) of IPB University, Dr Heti Mulyati, noted that this year’s KKN theme is highly relevant to various global challenges, such as climate change, geopolitical dynamics, and global food insecurity. Therefore, building social resilience must begin at the village level through community empowerment based on science and innovation.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM RI), Prof Taruna Ikrar, who was also present at the send off ceremony, encouraged students to use the KKN as an opportunity to directly apply their knowledge to benefit the community.
“There are three things that made me happy while participating in the KKN. First, being able to directly apply my knowledge to benefit the community. Second, at that time we were in the final stages of our studies, so our enthusiasm for community service was very high. Third, the KKN provided a valuable opportunity to serve the community directly,” he said.
Prof Taruna added that the collaboration between BPOM RI and IPB University through the Thematic Food Safety KKN is a strategic step toward raising public awareness of the importance of food safety.
Through the Innovation Community Service Program (KKNT Inovasi), IPB University hopes that students will not only provide solutions for the community but also gain learning experiences that strengthen their competencies, leadership skills, and sense of social responsibility as agents of change within the community. (AS) (IAAS/HNF)
