Community service is not only to enhance students’ empathy but also to empower community. This idea was the main point of a workshop on writing papers about community service by Director of Community Service of Universits Gadjah Mada (UGM)  Prof. Ir. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada, M.Eng., Ph.D. on Thursday (29/3) at A.R. Fachruddin A, floor 5, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

Irfan stated that the focus of research should be community service. “The concept of community service is accompanying community in order to be independent to do various activities and to solve their own problems. We may no longer become ‘a hero’ to assist community to resolve their issues because it is possible that the community cannot overcome their problems,” he declared. He also mentioned that community service journals are different from research journals. “The community service journals possess long term impacts, while research journals have findings,” explained Irfan.

Meanwhile, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs of UMY Dr. Ir.  Sukamta, M.T., IPM mentioned that UMY is now in level 2 of 4 of community service. To boost the number of community service activities, there are nine scoring indicator of ABDIMAS, namely publication about community in journals, publication on mass media, publication on academic forums, intellectual property rights, science and technology outcomes, standardized products, certified products, legal entity, and books. “Now, we can possibly attain four indicators, namely publication in journals, mass media, academic forums, and books,” he mentioned. Indeed, UMY has a community service journal called ‘Berdikari’.

Noticing the indicators, UMY initiated to conduct a two-day ‘Berdikari camp’. The lecturers are expected to write community service articles which can be published on community service journals. “Lecturers achieving grants for community service from UMY or other funds and having performed community service will participate in the camp to write and upload the articles,” told Sukamta.

In addition, a lecturer of Governmental Studies of UMY Sakir, S.IP., M.IP. supported the effort to improve community service articles. He wished that lecturers gaining grants could publish their articles on journals and mass media as well as could present the papers in national seminars. “UMY has carried out a lot of community service, but the number of articles is few. During the Berdikari camp, the lecturer will be supervised to write articles,” he said.