UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta held a national and State-Defense Dialog in the Joglo of Padukuhan Karangjati, Yogyakarta on Monday, April 10th, 2017. This activity was realized as a result of Actual Practice Lecture (KKN) program by UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta for its 62-generation performed by the UPN’s UKM Resimen Mahasiswa (MENWA) Kalimasada or Kalimasada Students’ Regiment, the Thematic KKN Team of Sleman 6209 and under the coordination of the on-site guiding lecturer, Ir. Puji Pratiknyo, M.T.This activity was expected to create state-defense cadres in the midst of very dynamic and pluralistic urban communities, in particular among the younger generation.

Apart from the state-defense dialog, the activity was continued with the counseling of the Emergency First Aids (Indonesian abbreviation: PPGD) which was also conducted by the UKM Students’ Regiment. The Emergency First Aids program was expected to improve the awareness and basic competence of emergency first aids so that the local communities will be more independent in responding to an emergency.

Arimas Hanindya, the head of the KKN 6209 Team explained that this activity represents a strategic working program which reflects the unique characteristics of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta as a State-Defense campus. He believes that an ideal KKN (actual practice lecture) program should not only emphasize on the physical aspects but also deal with the non-physical aspects, such as human development, which is equally important. The State-Defense Dialog is expected to be able to produce state-defending cadres and, at the same time, the branding of UPN identity as a university highly respecting Pancasila (the Indonesian national five principles) and pluralism.

(Budi K. Tz. Siswanto)