ULM Sends Off 233 FPIK Students for Thematic Community Service Program in Tanah Bumbu: Rector Emphasizes Heartfelt Service and Real Impact

Banjarmasin – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) officially sent off 233 students from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) on Monday (July 21, 2025) for the 2025 FPIK Impactful Thematic Community Service Program. This community service activity will be held in Tanah Bumbu Regency, with locations spanning 20 villages across eight sub-districts.

The send-off ceremony for the 233 students took place in the FPIK ULM courtyard and was led by ULM Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, S.E., M.Si. In his remarks, the Rector expressed his deep appreciation to all faculty members, lecturers, and committee members for their thorough preparation for this Thematic Community Service Program. He emphasized that KKN is not merely an academic routine, but an important part of the process of developing students’ character and leadership.

“The Faculty’s 2025 Impactful Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) should be carried out as well as possible, with full responsibility, and at the same time, serve as a platform for community learning for KKN participants,” said the Rector in his remarks.

The Rector also expressed his hope that this activity would provide tangible benefits and impact for all KKN participants. “This impactful thematic KKN program is expected to equip students with skills and improve their soft skills after completing the program for one month on-site, socializing with the community, implementing work programs, practicing innovation, motivation, and achieving,” he added.

The Impactful Thematic KKN of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK ULM) emphasizes the importance of concrete and measurable contributions from students in supporting development based on local potential, particularly in the marine and fisheries sector, for FPIK ULM students, particularly those majoring in Marine Science.

This KKN activity also received a warm welcome from the Tanah Bumbu Regency Government. The participants, who will be spread across 20 villages across 8 sub-districts, are scheduled to be officially received by the Tanah Bumbu Regent at 2:00 PM WITA at the Regent’s Hall. The presence of the ULM students is welcomed as part of the synergy between universities and the local government in strengthening regional development based on marine potential and coastal communities.

One of the KKN participants, FPIK student Rio Faldi Tarihoran, gave a brief testimonial about their readiness and the work program they will implement at the KKN location.

“To implement our impactful role as students there, we will improve tourism, particularly through promotion,” said Rio Faldi.

Beyond promotion, one of the KKN groups’ work programs also includes mangrove conservation.

“Coincidentally, there’s already a mangrove nursery there, but it’s just a matter of implementation,” he added.

The students also expressed their hope that through this KKN, they would not only learn to live with the community but also become agents of change who could elevate the village’s potential into an economic powerhouse based on local resources.