Bappeda NTB and Hamzanwadi University Explore Collaboration for Accelerating the "Desa Berdaya" Program

SELONG – The Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province visited the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of Hamzanwadi University on Wednesday (15/10/2025) to explore cooperation in implementing the "Desa Berdaya" (Empowered Village) program. This flagship initiative of the NTB Provincial Government aims to eradicate extreme poverty in 31 villages in East Lombok. The visit was received by the Director of DPPM, Dr. Shahibul Ahyan, M.Pd., along with his team, the Cooperation Center, and the Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Dr. Muhamad Ali, M.Si., marking an initial step towards strengthening synergy between local government and universities in village-based development.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Shahibul Ahyan expressed Hamzanwadi University's readiness to become a strategic partner for the NTB Provincial Government, noting that the university has long been implementing sustainable community service programs like "KKN Bina Desa" (Community Service Program for Village Development), which have demonstrated tangible impacts on the ground. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between universities and the government in creating sustainable solutions for the community. Meanwhile, Mrs. Maulida from the Partnership Program Division of Bappeda NTB explained that "Desa Berdaya" is built on five principles: transformative, innovation, graduation, collaboration, and orchestration of local resources—with village digitalization as one of its main pillars.

Another representative from Bappeda, Mr. Ridho, added that the Village Information System (SID) will serve as the data foundation to support poverty reduction and social inequality programs. He affirmed that the NTB Provincial Government's strategic targets, such as "Eradicate Poverty" and "World-Class Tourism," can only be achieved through the active involvement of all stakeholders, including universities. Echoing this sentiment, the Deputy Director of DPPM, Prof. Dr. Khirjan Nahdi, proposed a "Triangle Activity" approach—integrating teaching, research, and community service—as an ideal model to ensure the university's role genuinely provides concrete solutions to social challenges in the target villages. n.