UNAIR’s Transformation into a State-Owned Legal Entity: Enhancing Community Service from 2006 to 2010
Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has continued to reaffirm its commitment to community service amid ongoing institutional changes. A notable development took place in 2006, when UNAIR transitioned to a State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN), prompting a reorganization designed to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Restructuring and Formation of LPPM
As part of this restructuring, the Institute for Community Service (LPKM) and the Institute for Research (Lemlit) were merged into a new entity called the Institute for Research & Community Service (LPPM). This consolidation centralized all community service activities under LPPM’s oversight.
Collaborations and Funding Initiatives
Throughout this period, LPPM administered various collaborations and initiatives involving external stakeholders, including local governments and private sector partners, as well as projects funded under the Directorate General of Higher Education’s LP2M program, which exceeded IDR 10 million. Each faculty was allocated IDR 5 million from its Work and Budget Plan (RKAT) to facilitate its community service endeavors.
Community Service Projects in 2007
In 2007, UNAIR executed a total of 121 community service projects, which included 91 service competitions and DIKS programs, 13 science, technology, and art (IPTEKS) initiatives, one Vucer project, one general courses-based (MKU) project, two entrepreneurship (KWU) projects, and 13 applied science and technology (IPTEK Terapan) projects. A noteworthy collaboration involved the Faculty of Psychology establishing a crisis center in partnership with the Indonesian Child Welfare Foundation of East Java, as well as launching the Anak Ceria Early Childhood Education Center (PAUD) in conjunction with Dharma Wanita Persatuan UNAIR.
Focus Areas of Community Service Programs
The community service programs overseen by LPPM were focused on four main activities: training programs, consultation and mentoring services, seminars and exhibitions, and workshops. Future initiatives are anticipated to address various topics such as sharia management, regional government accounting, entrepreneurship, strategic marketing, data management, environmental impact analysis (AMDAL), research methodologies, government procurement, literacy programs, and studies connected to local governance.
Capacity-Building for Market Vendors
Furthermore, UNAIR initiated capacity-building programs targeting 23,000 traditional market vendors in partnership with Perusahaan Daerah Pasar Surya Kota Surabaya. This initiative sought to aid vendors in modernizing their operations to maintain competitiveness in a changing market environment.
Vision for Community Service
At that time, Professor Fasich, the Rector of UNAIR, highlighted the university’s intention to extend this collaboration into a Student Community Service Program (KKN), indicating markets as vital centers for addressing public needs and fostering grassroots economic empowerment.
Looking Ahead
The transition of UNAIR to a State-Owned Legal Entity (BHMN) has provided the university with increased autonomy over its operations, facilitating broader collaborative opportunities and an expansion of community service initiatives. Through these efforts, UNAIR aims to continue delivering enhanced benefits to society.
Original source: https://unair.ac.id/en/unair-transition-to-state-owned-legal-entity-advancing-community-service-from-2006-to-2010/
