On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the implementation team of the Community Service Program from the S1 Mathematics Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, conducted a socialization event on the utilization of the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP)-Kuliah Merdeka. The event, titled “Expanding Access to Higher Education through the Utilization of KIP-Kuliah,” was made possible through the collaboration between the S1 Mathematics Program of FST UNAIR, the Counseling Guidance Teacher Association (MGBK) of Pasuruan Regency, and SMAN 1 Taruna Madani Bangil.
The event, which took place in the auditorium of SMAN 1 Taruna Madani, East Java, Jl Bader Bangil, was attended by more than 100 high school students from Pasuruan Regency, accompanied by more than 20 counseling guidance teachers from various schools. The participating schools included SMAN 1 Taruna Madani Jawa Timur, SMAN 1 Gondangwetan, SMAN 1 Grati, SMAN 1 Kejayan, SMAN 1 Pandaan, SMAN 1 Purwosari, SMA Maarif Sukorejo, SMA Maarif Pandaan, SMA Walisongo Gempol, SMA Yadika Bangil, SMKN 1 Beji, SMKN 1 Bangil, SMKN 2 Sukorejo, SMK Ahmad Yani Bangil, and MAN 1 Pasuruan.
The aim of this event was not only to provide socialization on KIP-K but also to enhance the role of higher education institutions in encouraging communities to improve access to higher education, particularly for those who are economically disadvantaged. In addition to the main topic on KIP-Kuliah, the event sought to raise public awareness of the importance of higher education, thereby motivating students to enhance their competencies through further education. This was highlighted in the subtopic “Why is Higher Education Important?” followed by a presentation of the results from a questionnaire filled out by students regarding their conditions and perseverance in achieving success in education under the subtopic “Academic Self-Efficacy.”
During the discussion session, student interest in KIP-K was quite significant, as seen from their enthusiasm in asking various questions, ranging from the specific requirements for applying for KIP-K to special admission pathways to UNAIR, such as the Golden Ticket. From the evaluation conducted at the end of the event through a survey, counseling teachers expressed their desire for similar activities to be held regularly, covering a wider range of topics related to both higher education in general and Universitas Airlangga specifically.
