200 Students from University of Gresik Sent to 16 Villages in Cerme

Gresik Kartininews.com – The Gresik Regency Government is encouraging the implementation of the Community Service Program (KKN) to go beyond being merely an academic requirement and instead produce recommendations that can support the resolution of various development issues in the region. Through this approach, students are expected to act as partners of the government in empowering communities while providing solutions based on real field needs.

This commitment was expressed by Gresik Deputy Regent Asluchul Alif during the send-off of 200 students from the University of Gresik’s 2026 Community Service Program at the Mandala Bhakti Praja Hall, Regent’s Office of Gresik, on Monday (6/7/2026).

The 200 students will carry out community service activities in 16 villages spread across Cerme Subdistrict for nearly one month, from July 13 to August 7, 2026.

The send-off event was also attended by University of Gresik Rector Rian Pramana Suwanda, officials from the Gresik Regency Government, university leaders, the Cerme Subdistrict Head, heads of the KKN host villages, and field supervisors.

In his speech, Deputy Regent Asluchul Alif urged the students to make KKN a genuine learning experience through direct interaction with the community.

According to him, field experience will enrich students’ understanding of the social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges faced by local residents.

“KKN is an opportunity to learn directly from the community. The most important thing is the ability to listen, understand the needs of the residents, and provide beneficial solutions,” he said.

Asluchul Alif expressed hope that the students’ service would not end merely as academic reports, but would generate recommendations that could be considered by the regional government in formulating development policies.

He believes students have the capacity to identify various village-level problems and offer innovative ideas that align with community needs.

“We hope that the experiences gained during KKN can be translated into recommendations that help the government solve various development issues in the region,” he said.

In addition to providing academic experience, KKN is also seen as a means to build leadership character, enhance teamwork skills, and foster students’ social awareness.

Meanwhile, University of Gresik Rector Rian Pramana Suwanda explained that Cerme Subdistrict was chosen as the KKN location because it has great development potential while also facing several challenges.

Known as one of the food production centers in Gresik Regency, Cerme is also an area frequently affected by flooding due to the overflow of the Lamong River.

Rian said the students are expected not only to assist in implementing village development programs but also to help formulate solutions to the various problems faced by the community, including disaster mitigation and post-flood recovery efforts.

“One of our concerns is the follow-up impacts after flooding, such as the emergence of various diseases. This can become a focus for the students’ community service during KKN,” he explained.

Students are also encouraged to assist village governments in preparing development plans that align with regional government programs, while mapping the potential and needs of each village.

Rian emphasized that KKN is a concrete form of higher education’s service to society, so students are expected to provide direct benefits while maintaining the good name of their alma mater through proper attitude, ethics, and communication while in the villages.

Through collaboration between universities, local government, and the community, the KKN program is expected to produce innovations and recommendations that support sustainable village development in Gresik Regency.