IPB University Sends Off Hundreds of KKNT 2025 Students, Bringing Innovation and Empathy to the Community
IPB University reaffirms its commitment to community service by sending off hundreds of students participating in the 2025 Thematic Real Work Lecture (KKNT). The send-off ceremony was held at the IPB University Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP) in Bogor on Saturday (12/20).
A total of 355 students will be placed in four regions, namely Bogor Regency, Cianjur Regency, Bojonegoro Regency, and Pringsewu Regency. The KKNT program focuses on providing real solutions to various community problems.
The Rector of IPB University, Dr Alim Setiawan Slamet, emphasized that KKNT is not just an academic obligation, but a space for students to learn about life.
“KKNT is not just about completing academic assignments, but a space for learning about life. Knowledge does not only grow in the classroom, but also in the fields, markets, and coastal areas. The community is the real teacher,” he said.
He explained that KKNT students will bring IPB University’s programs and innovations to work with the community to find solutions to strategic issues, such as food security, improving welfare, and strengthening the local economy.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of empathy and humility in carrying out KKNT. Students are expected not to come with unilateral solutions, but to learn and collaborate with the local community.
“The mindset that must be built is not to come with solutions, but to learn together with the community. Integrate knowledge with empathy, technology with local wisdom, and innovation with the real needs of the community,” he said.
He reminded that the measure of KKNT’s success is not measured by the number of programs or social media documentation, but by the meaning and sustainability of the impact felt by the community.
“The most important thing is not the strength of the internet signal, but the strength of the relationship with the community. That is the essence of KKNT,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Director of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) at IPB University, Dr Handian Purwawangsa, reported that the 2025 KKNT will take place from December 22, 2025, to January 30, 2026.
“KKNT 2025 will be attended by 355 students from 31 inter-faculty study programs who will carry out community service in four districts,” he explained.
He hopes that all students can carry out KKNT well, maintain ethics, and uphold the good name of IPB University in the community.
“We hope students can utilize this KKNT opportunity to learn, contribute, and create tangible impacts together with the community,” he concluded. (AS) (IAAS/ASY)
