SEMARANG, Jatengnews.id – The Community Service Program (PKM) conducted by Universitas PGRI Semarang (UPGRIS) in Jatirejo Tourism Village received positive appreciation from students of Jindal Global University (JGU), India, who directly participated in the program.
One of the JGU students, Prajwal Kadoth, through UPGRIS lecturer and translator Mega Novita, Ph.D, expressed his enthusiasm for taking part in the PKM activities, which he said broadened his understanding of social life and community-based tourism development in Indonesia.
“This program truly opened our eyes and provided us with first-hand experience of social life in Indonesia, especially in the tourism sector. We learned about history, tourism economics, and how these aspects are integrated into a shared understanding within the community,” Prajwal stated.
Baca juga: Keseruan Mahasiswa JGU India Ikuti PKM UPGRIS di Desa Wisata Jatirejo
He also conveyed his appreciation to the UPGRIS team and local tourism actors of Jatirejo Tourism Village for their excellent organization and hospitality.
“The UPGRIS team and the local tourism practitioners in Jatirejo were outstanding. They managed to accommodate all activities very well, allowing us to fully experience community life and local practices,” he added.
The program was facilitated by Universitas PGRI Semarang (UPGRIS) through its Community Service Program (PKM) and was held at Jatirejo Tourism Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang City, on Monday (December 15, 2025).
A total of 16 students from Jindal Global University, India, accompanied by lecturers, participated in empowerment activities across four thematic villages within Jatirejo.
In RW 01, the students learned the process of producing crackers and candied kolang-kaling, while also exploring Jatirejo’s history as the largest kolang-kaling processing center in Semarang City.
The activities continued in RW 04, where participants observed cattle farming practices and the processing of livestock products managed by local MSME actors.
Next, the group visited RW 02, known as Kampung Cabe Rawit (Kambera), to learn chili cultivation techniques directly from local farmers.
The series of activities concluded in RW 03, the Red Ginger Village, where students enjoyed traditional red ginger beverages at a local café and took part in a flowerpot painting activity, one of Jatirejo Tourism Village’s flagship tourism packages.
The PKM program was chaired by Arisul Ulumuddin, S.Pd., M.Pd., with team members Shofif S. Akbar, S.E., M.M., and Nur Cholifah, S.Pd., M.Pd. Various productive activities were carried out by utilizing local resources readily available in Jatirejo Village, enabling direct application by the community and local business actors.
According to Mega Novita, Ph.D., Head of International Affairs of UPGRIS, this program also serves as a strategic platform to strengthen international collaboration through community engagement.
Baca juga: Dari Kolang-Kaling hingga Jahe Merah, Pengalaman Unik Mahasiswa JGU India di Jatirejo
“This activity reflects UPGRIS’s commitment to internationalization that is rooted in local wisdom. Through direct interaction with the community, international students gain authentic learning experiences, while local communities benefit from global exposure,” she explained.
Arisul Ulumuddin added that this PKM initiative represents a tangible contribution of academics in supporting local potential development and improving the economic welfare of tourism village communities.
Through this program, Jatirejo Tourism Village is expected to continue growing as a creative, independent, and competitive tourism destination, while also serving as a model for international collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities. (01)
