Mataram — Preparing students to thrive beyond the classroom, Institut Agama Hindu Negeri (IAHN) Gde Pudja Mataram continues to strengthen its commitment to producing graduates who combine academic knowledge with practical skills, strong character, and professional competence.This commitment was reflected in the 2026 Fieldwork Preparation Program (Praktik Kerja Lapangan/PKL) organized by the Faculty of Dharma Duta, Brahmawidya, and Dharma Sastra on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Third-Floor Meeting Hall of the Rectorate Building, IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram.The program brought together 195 students who are set to undertake fieldwork, supported by 40 faculty supervisors and spread across 100 fieldwork sites.
The event was attended by the Rector and university leadership, supervising lecturers, and participating students. The broad placement network is designed to provide students with meaningful exposure to different professional and community environments while enabling them to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.In his report, I Komang Widya Purnama Yasa, M.I.Kom., Chair of the Organizing Committee, highlighted the scale of this year’s program. With students placed across 100 locations and guided by 40 supervisors, the fieldwork is expected to serve as an important bridge between academic learning and professional experience.More than an academic requirement, PKL is positioned as a transformative learning experience.
Students are encouraged to step beyond theoretical understanding and develop the ability to adapt, communicate effectively, solve problems, build professional relationships, and respond responsibly to the realities of the workplace and society.Officially opening the program, Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., reminded students that their presence at every fieldwork site carries more than their personal identity, since it also represents their alma mater.He therefore urged students to maintain high standards of ethics, discipline, appearance, attitude, and communication throughout their fieldwork. Professionalism, he emphasized, is built not only through technical expertise but also through the ability to respect others, adapt to new environments, communicate appropriately, and take responsibility for every task entrusted to them.
The Rector also encouraged students to make continuous self-improvement part of their academic journey. His message was clear: keep developing your competence. Academic achievement, he noted, must go hand in hand with character, ethics, and professionalism if students are to become adaptive and competitive graduates.The preparation session continued with a presentation by the Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Duta, Brahmawidya, and Dharma Sastra, Dr. Putu Somiartha, S.E., M.Si., on “Student Ethics in Fieldwork.” The session emphasized that professional conduct begins with everyday habits, from punctuality and responsibility to appropriate communication, respect for workplace rules, and the ability to establish positive relationships with supervisors, colleagues, and the wider community.Students also received strategic academic guidance from Vice Rector I, Dr. Joko Prayitno, S.Ag., S.T., M.Pd.H., through his session, “Strategies for Graduating on Time and Completing the Thesis.” The discussion encouraged students to approach their academic journey with clear targets and disciplined planning, including identifying research interests early, maintaining active communication with supervisors, and managing time effectively.
The combination of professional preparation and academic planning reflects IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram’s broader approach to student development. Fieldwork is not treated simply as a final academic obligation, but as an opportunity to prepare students for the transition from university life to professional and community engagement.The preparation program proceeded smoothly, orderly, and with strong student enthusiasm. Through the 2026 PKL program, IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram expects students to bring their academic knowledge, values, and character into real-world settings while gaining practical experiences that will shape their professional identity.Ultimately, the success of fieldwork will not be measured merely by the completion of the program, but by the growth it inspires. From knowledge to skills, experience to competence, and academic values to professionalism, PKL is expected to become an important milestone in shaping graduates who are competent, ethical, adaptable, and ready to make a meaningful contribution to society, while carrying the good name of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram wherever they go.
(by: DKS)
