The independent campus program provides freedom for students to study outside campus through various activities, including Certified Independent Study and Internships (MSIB) and MBKM Mandiri. The program aims to provide experience and skills for students so they can organize their careers and be ready to face changes in the world outside campus. The UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program also participates in the independent campus program, one of which is through MBKM Mandiri. This effort was made to support SDG Program Point 4 regarding quality education. The UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program sends its best students to study and improve their skills at various companies for one semester.
One of the students of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, Wahyu Fatahillah, participated in the MBKM Mandiri program through an internship program at PT. Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara. Through the internship program at PT Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara, Wahyu was able to realize his dream since childhood, namely working in one of the skyscrapers in Jakarta and learning about renewable energy. During his internship at PT Elevenia Sukses Perkasa Nusantara, Wahyu gained knowledge and skills regarding the use of biomass in Indonesia as well as the implementation of circular economy principles in supporting SDGS points 7 and 12, which focus on clean energy and implementing responsible production through the use of Shell Palm Kernel.
Just like Wahyu Fatahillah, Ariadna Kesuma also took part in an internship in the Central Jakarta metropolitan area. Ariadna carried out an internship at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Ariadna has an interest in economics and economic policy formulation. With the MBKM program at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ariadna can learn directly from economic experts about policy formulation and gain experience that she might not have had on campus.
Fakhry Ahmad, one of the students of the UGM Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program, also felt facilitated by the MBKM program. Fakhry did an MBKM internship at the Bank BRI Godean Sub-Branch Office. Fakhry chose the Bank BRI Godean Sub-Branch Office because he wanted to learn about KUR for farmers and to implement the knowledge he gained in lectures in the world of work. During his internship, Fakhry was very enthusiastic; he even admitted that he gained a lot of experience regarding the world of work, gained new knowledge, and made many contacts.
Similar to Fakhry, Endang also believes that the existence of MBKM Magang Mandiri means he has a lot of experience and relationships in the agricultural world, especially in tea and quinine commodities. Endang did an internship at the Gambung Tea and Kina Research Center. During his internship, Endang tried many new things, such as the tea production process, experience with transects to map the village’s potential in agro-tourism activities, mini-research, and tea testing. Endang was very enthusiastic about the tea testing activity because he could taste various tea brews and their characteristics in this activity.
Both Wahyu, Ariadna, Fakhry, and Endang advised all students to prepare themselves for the future, one of which is by taking part in the MBKM program. Students are expected to be able to identify themselves and find out their potential and needs in order to know which MBKM program and which company is suitable and which one they want to go to. In this case, they hope that the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Study Program can continue to develop collaboration with many partners through MBKM Mandiri.
