West Lombok, Indonesia – IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram officially concluded its Independent Interdisciplinary Community Service Program (PKM) in Seraya Mukih Village, East Peresak Hamlet, Karang Bayan Village, Lingsar District, West Lombok Regency, on Friday, 29 May 2026. The closing ceremony marked the culmination of five days of intensive community engagement activities centered on the preservation of Hindu cultural heritage through the theme “Upakara Yadnya and Pemayun Training as a Means of Preserving Hindu Culture.”.The event was held in a warm and festive atmosphere, bringing together university leaders, lecturers, students, village officials, religious leaders, and local residents who had actively participated throughout the program. The ceremony commenced with a traditional dance performance by local youth, symbolizing the community’s commitment to safeguarding cultural traditions and passing them on to future generations.
The program report was delivered by the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Ida Bagus Benny Surya Adi Pramana, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., who highlighted a series of training, mentoring, and empowerment activities conducted during the five-day program. The closing ceremony also featured a testimonial session in which community representatives expressed their appreciation for the university’s presence and contribution. According to local residents, the program not only enhanced knowledge and practical skills but also strengthened awareness of the importance of preserving Hindu traditions and cultural identity. The session was followed by the presentation of prizes to participants and winners of various competitions held during the program.
In her address, the Chair of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Dr. Ni Luh Sinar Ayu Ratna Dewi, S.S., M.Ag., conveyed her gratitude to the Government of Karang Bayan Village and the people of Seraya Mukih for their hospitality and strong support throughout the implementation of the program. She emphasized that community service serves as a strategic collaboration between higher education institutions and society in fostering character development, cultural preservation, social solidarity, and community empowerment. She further expressed hope that the activities carried out during the program would generate lasting benefits and serve as the foundation for future collaboration between the university and the local community.
As part of the closing ceremony, LPPM IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram presented commemorative souvenirs as symbols of friendship and partnership, along with donations intended to support religious and social activities within the community.
Delivering the keynote address, the Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., stated that one of the most valuable outcomes of the program was the strong sense of kinship established between the university and the community. He noted that the success of community service initiatives should not be measured solely by the number of activities implemented, but also by the meaningful relationships, mutual trust, and collaborative spirit developed throughout the process.
The Rector also highlighted the importance of transforming academic research into practical solutions that directly address community needs. He encouraged lecturers to continue translating research findings into impactful community-based programs, thereby strengthening the integration of education, research, and community service as the three core pillars of higher education.
With gratitude to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd. officially declared the 2026 Independent Interdisciplinary Community Service Program in Seraya Mukih closed.
The event concluded with a fellowship gathering and group documentation session involving members of the university community, village authorities, religious leaders, community figures, and local residents. The spirit of togetherness that characterized the closing ceremony reflected the broader mission of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, to build sustainable partnerships, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities through meaningful and impactful engagement.
Through this program, IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram once again reaffirmed its commitment to being a higher education institution that not only excels academically but also actively contributes to society through collaborative, sustainable, and transformative community service initiatives. (by: DKS)
