ums.ac.id, SURAKARTA – A concrete step in community service has once again been demonstrated by the Muhammadiyah Students Association (IMM) Al-Ghozali of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS). They have officially launched the Student Organisation Capacity Building Programme (PPK Ormawa) entitled “Catur Cerdas: Creating Education, Resilience, Digitalisation, and Community Independence through the Optimisation of a Sense of Belonging to Preserve the Farming Village.” This innovative programme operates under the direct guidance of a UMS Faculty of Psychology lecturer, Suwanda Priyadi, M.A.
The launch event for this programme was enthusiastically held at the Catur Village Hall, Sambi District, Boyolali Regency on Thursday (18/6/2026). The event was attended by 47 participants representing various key elements, ranging from local residents, the implementation team, and student organisation representatives, to the ranks of the UMS Directorate of Student Affairs and Talent-Innovation Development (DKPTI).
Why was Catur Village chosen? The Head of the UMS IMM Al-Ghozali PPK Ormawa Team, Musakinah Oktafira Aura Wijaya, explained that the village holds extraordinary potential in both natural and human resources. However, behind this golden potential lie real challenges that demand consistent and sustainable empowerment efforts.
“Stemming from that reality, we initiated the Catur Cerdas programme. The objective is clear: to maximise the village’s potential through the strengthening of literacy, the digitalisation of MSMEs, increased mental health awareness, as well as agricultural development and the preservation of local culture,” she stated on Monday (22/6/2026).
Musakinah places great hope that this initiative will serve as a stepping stone for the residents of Catur Village to grow into a community that is far more independent, adaptable, and rich in innovation.
The culmination of the inauguration ceremony was marked by the traditional cutting of the *tumpeng* (cone-shaped rice dish), a philosophical symbol denoting the commencement of the UMS IMM Al-Ghozali PPK Ormawa’s endeavours for 2026. This sacred moment was not merely ceremonial; rather, it was a collective pledge to realise an empowerment programme that yields a long-lasting impact on the community.
Echoing this sentiment, the General Chairperson of UMS IMM Al-Ghozali, Muhammad Raihan Akbar, emphasised the essence of this programme. For him, Catur Cerdas is a tangible manifestation of empowerment that focuses heavily on cross-sectoral synergy.
“This is a space for collaboration. We sincerely hope that the synergy built will continue to burn bright, leading Catur Village to evolve into a genuinely smart and sustainably empowered village,” asserted Raihan.
The presence of these students was welcomed with open arms by the Head of Sambi District (Camat), Dony Mahendra. Although he acknowledged that this model of empowerment is relatively fresh in his region, Dony radiated high optimism.
“Catur Village is blessed with abundant natural and human resources. Through the strategic touch of the students’ brilliant ideas, I am confident that all this potential can be exposed and cultivated to its fullest,” he proudly expressed.
From an academic perspective, the Head of the Sub-Directorate of Talent, Innovation, and Achievement of DKPTI UMS, Ir. Muhammad Alfatih Hendrawan, S.T., M.T., elaborated that PPK Ormawa is a strategic initiative from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. Its success relies heavily on the harmony between the students, the village apparatus, and the residents.
“For the next four months, this programme will serve as a living laboratory. Students will not only sharpen their expertise (soft and hard skills) but also dive directly into assisting the community so that they become truly empowered,” he explained.
A similar enthusiasm was strongly recorded from local stakeholders. Referring to the results of the PPK Ormawa team’s audience, all elements of the community have given the green light and full support. They hold out hope that this programme will be able to cement a triangular collaboration among higher education institutions, the government, and the citizens to advance the village’s literacy, economy, culture, and agriculture.
Responding to these high expectations, the UMS IMM Al-Ghozali PPK Ormawa Team reaffirmed their commitment. Moving forward, the team is ready to embrace various relevant agencies, expert practitioners, and competent resource persons to ensure that the Catur Cerdas programme does not merely remain a discourse, but rather brings about a tangible transformation for Catur Village.