The Student Executive (EM) of Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in collaboration with Timor University and the National Social Forum of Student Executive Boards (BEM) throughout Indonesia (Fornassosmas) is hosting the National Expedition (Eknas) program in the 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) areas. The location of this activity will take place in Eban Village, a border village between Indonesia and Timor Leste.
MEB X Eknas 2024 aims to be a forum for young expeditioners from various universities in Indonesia to collaborate in community service and empowerment in the 3T area. This year, the theme raised is “Active Collaboration, Serving the Country,” in line with the third pillar of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, namely Community Service.
This service activity focuses on three main areas, namely education and technology, health, and tourism and economy. This aims to overcome the problems faced by the people of Eban Village, such as difficult family economic conditions, high stunting rates, uninhabitable houses (rutilahu), and minimal employment opportunities. In addition, the problem of declining agricultural commodity prices and the lack of development of livestock potential are also major concerns.
MEB X Eknas 2024 was attended by delegates of Fornassosmas BEM members from all over Indonesia and took place for ten days on September 20 – September 30, 2024. This event will begin with an opening ceremony featuring the traditional Beskalan dance, typical of Malang City, and was officially opened by Prof. Widodo, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. Med.Sc., Rector of Universitas Brawijaya, in the Rectorate Hall. In his interview, he stated, “This program is very good to be continued in the coming years and is expected to be better than the previous year, which was successful in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara.”
In addition to the remarks from the rector, the event will also be enlivened by the Vice Rector 3 of Timor University, ministers from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Head of Eban Village, Wensislaus Pilis, welcomed the presence of students in his village. “For ten days, students can exchange information with all levels of society, from children to government officials, agencies, the RI RDTI Task Force and Bank Indonesia and central ministries. This is something new where students with different backgrounds can interact and share information,” he said.
Mega Ekspedisi Brawijaya x Eknas 2024 is expected to be a symbol of acceleration and equal distribution of empowerment and development in Indonesia. Fahmi, the chairman of the MEB x Eknas 2024, added, “This implementation provides many valuable lessons for us as students to better understand our brothers and sisters at the edge of the archipelago’s borders, who also maintain the geographical integrity of Indonesia with a spirit of nationalism.
“The story of MEB X EKNAS 2024’s dedication in Eban Village proves that the younger generation has an important role in building the country. The spirit of mutual cooperation and social concern they show is worth emulating. Let’s together support positive activities like this and contribute to a better Indonesia,” said Dionisius Klau, President of Timor University Students. [pon/UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
