IPB University Wins First Place at Mandaya Awards 2026 Through OVOC Community Empowerment Program
IPB University secured first place in the State Universities with Legal Entity Status (PTNBH) category at the Mandaya Awards 2026.
This achievement recognizes IPB University’s contribution to community empowerment through its One Village One CEO (OVOC) program. The initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of rural communities by strengthening local capacities, providing business assistance, and developing enterprises based on local resources and potential.
The Chairman of the Institute for Agromaritime Development and Innopreneurship Acceleration (LPA2I) at IPB University and the initiator of OVOC, Dr Handian Purwawangsa, expressed his appreciation for the recognition received at the Mandaya Awards 2026. He emphasized that this achievement serves as motivation to further strengthen the role of higher education institutions in community empowerment.
“Moving forward, we will strengthen collaboration and enhance the competitiveness of local products to enable them to penetrate global markets. Guided by the spirit of From Local Roots, to Global Routes, we aim to transform local potential into global strengths while fostering economic independence and sustainable community welfare,” he stated.
Through OVOC, IPB University promotes collaboration among universities, government institutions, business actors, and local communities to strengthen rural economic ecosystems. This collaborative approach is expected to create business opportunities, expand market access, and increase the added value of local products.
The achievement at the Mandaya Awards 2026 further reinforces IPB University’s role in advancing community empowerment practices driven by science, innovation, and strategic partnerships. These efforts reflect the university’s commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable development, particularly by strengthening village potential and promoting community economic independence.
The Mandaya Awards are organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment of the Republic of Indonesia. The awards recognize the contributions of various stakeholders in implementing community empowerment initiatives that generate tangible impacts on improving welfare, alleviating poverty, and strengthening community self reliance.
Award recipients include regional governments, higher education institutions, Islamic boarding schools, business entities, communities, and social change agents. This initiative aligns with efforts to optimize poverty alleviation and eliminate extreme poverty, as mandated by Presidential Instruction No 8 of 2025. (*/Rz) (CAA/IAAS)
