ULM Faculty of Agriculture MBKM Expo: Synergy between Students, Partners, and the Government for Sustainable Agriculture
Banjarbaru – A total of 322 students from the Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) officially completed their Community Service Program (KKN), Internship, and MBKM Recognition Internship program, which ran from July 24 to September 3, 2025. The event concluded with an MBKM Expo held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the ULM Auditorium. The event showcased the results of students’ fieldwork from six study programs: Agrotechnology, Agronomy, Animal Husbandry, Soil Science, Crop Protection, and Agribusiness.
The students were spread across three main locations: Tapin Regency (183 students), Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency (44 students), and several palm oil companies affiliated with GAPKI (95 students). They were directly involved in various activities, ranging from land training, household waste management, to mentoring PKK (Family Welfare Movement) members.
The event was officially opened by ULM’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Iwan Aflanie, dr., M.Kes., Sp.F., SH., who expressed his appreciation for the students’ achievements and the faculty’s commitment to integrating contextual learning outside the campus.
“Hopefully, this will inspire us to further strengthen our efforts to realize MBKM activities and become an impactful campus capable of making a real impact on the community,” said Dr. Iwan.
Dr. Iwan stated that the Expose event serves as a platform to showcase ULM’s role in the community through the activities of students from the Faculty of Agriculture.
GAPKI representative, Khairudin, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the palm oil industry. He stated that collaboration with universities like ULM is key to maximizing local potential sustainably.
“Palm oil must also be sustainable. In this regard, GAPKI is open to collaboration so that we can maximize existing potential together,” he said.
PT Antang Gunung Meratus, one of the industrial partners involved, echoed this sentiment. They welcomed the students’ involvement in this activity and hoped its impact would be directly felt by the community.
“We are proud to collaborate. Hopefully, we can support further programs in the future,” said the representative.
The Head of the South Kalimantan Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Office, Ir. Syamsir Rahman, was also present and expressed his appreciation for the synergy between universities, the local government, and the business community. He called this program a concrete step in strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture in Banua.
Representing the faculty leadership, Dr. Dewi Erika Agriani emphasized that this program is not just a community service program, but also a learning space that shapes the students’ character holistically.
“Students not only apply their knowledge, but also hone their social empathy and understanding of real-world contexts. Their achievements will now be showcased in 64 exhibition booths over the next two days,” she explained.
This MBKM Expo served as a reflective and celebratory closing, marking the students’ success in bridging knowledge and practice, and strengthening ULM’s role as an institution rooted in the community and oriented towards the future of South Kalimantan agriculture.
