ULM Agroecotechnology Student Development: From Public Speaking to Industrial Discipline
Pelaihari – The Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), held a series of training activities for students receiving the PKS (Human Resources for Oil Palm Plantations) Scholarship. This scholarship is a program of the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations. The training took place at the Puspitek Agripeka (Agripeka Technology Center) in Sungai Riam on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Twenty-nine Agroecotechnology students participated in the training, which was divided into two main agendas: Short Training (January 18–24, 2026) and Mental, Physical, and Discipline Development (Bintalfisdis).
In the initial phase, students received materials on an introduction to oil palm and agriculture, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and psychology. Speakers included ULM lecturers and representatives from PT GMK, a palm oil company partner of the Faculty of Agriculture. The activities included not only theory but also hands-on practice to enhance participants’ skills.
The Short Training was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Akhmad Rizalli Saidy, S.P., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., and attended by the vice deans. The training concluded with the presence of faculty leaders. Agroecotechnology lecturers took turns mentoring the students.
Afterward, the students participated in a Bintalfisdis (Fisdis) training led by the 22nd Military Regional Command (Rindam) Team/Tambun Bungai. This program aimed to develop discipline, resilience, and physical and mental resilience. In addition to field activities, students also received discipline training in the classroom.
The head of the organizing committee, Rabiatul Wahdah, S.P., M.S., stated that this PKS HR scholarship was the first of its kind awarded to the Agroecotechnology Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, ULM, and the only one in South Kalimantan. He hoped that this program would have a significant impact, not only on academics but also on character.
“Through this activity, we hope students will become stronger physically and mentally. Considering that they will enter the industrial and corporate world in the future, discipline is crucial to instill from an early age,” he said.
He added that he hopes the discipline instilled in students will be applied not only in academic activities but also in their daily lives.
