Malang, October 22, 2024 – Vandha Eka Cahyaningtyas, a fifth-semester student of the Government Studies Program at UMM, has participated in the MBKM (Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka) program. This time, Vandha had the opportunity to intern at the village government, specifically in Bumiaji Village, Batu City.
The internship lasted for four months, from July 15 to November 15, 2024. While this program is not mandatory for fifth-semester students, it was an opportunity that Vandha decided to seize. It allowed her to gain new insights, develop skills and knowledge outside the classroom, and build a professional network.
"I am very grateful to be placed in Bumiaji Village, which is located at the foot of Arjuna Hill. The culture here is still preserved, the nature is beautiful, and there are many natural tourist spots. The people are also very friendly and kind," Vandha shared.
Her tasks at the village office included assisting with administrative work and providing services to the community, such as issuing business certificates, residence certificates, inheritance certificates, and more. Additionally, she participated in village activities, such as distributing Bulog rice, providing BLT (cash assistance) for the elderly, and distributing milk, eggs, and yam to toddlers suffering from stunting.
Vandha also mentioned, "All the theories and concepts I learned in class were very helpful during this internship. I was able to apply them, such as in the Musdes BUMDES activities, Musdes to prepare the RPJMdes (village development plan), and preparing SPJ (accountability reports)."
In addition to helping with the village office activities, Vandha also conducted research on the agro-tourism potential in Bumiaji Village. This research will be used for her final project. So, once the internship program is completed, her research will also be finished, which will help her graduate on time.
The MBKM internship program has been very beneficial for Vandha, especially in empowering the community through various programs in the village. It also allowed her to make a direct contribution to the village’s development efforts. This experience helped sharpen her collaboration skills and the ability to implement programs that have a direct impact on the community.
