The Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta) at Universitas Gadjah Mada once again reaffirms its commitment to supporting student competence development through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program. One inspiring story comes from Salma Darajatun, a student of the Bachelor of Agricultural Extension and Communication (BAEC) Study Program, class of 2023, who successfully completed her internship at AILESH during her sixth semester, from February 9 to May 29, 2026. This program allowed students to convert the internship into 20–21 credits, enabling them to fully focus on practical learning in the field.
During her internship, Salma actively wrote daily articles for the AILESH website, compiled the Green Infrastructure bulletin, and participated in Kehati Monitoring activities. She was also entrusted as the PIC for Community Development, conducting interviews with cocoa farmer groups in Dusun Terong, Dlingo District. These activities not only enriched her journalistic and communication skills but also strengthened her understanding of community empowerment and relevant environmental issues.
In carrying out the program, Salma collaborated with three other MBKM students: Rafi Gunadi, Azarine Malika Zayyan, and Aisya Alifarizki. They were guided by Insive Foundation Chair, Kak Soraya, along with mentors Kak Dina and Kak Sabda. Additional support came from Kak Krisna as Head of Marketing, and Kak Aulia and Kak Fadlurohman from the HR team. The working atmosphere at AILESH Antasena 2 Office in Sleman was described as warm, open, and professional. A flexible yet responsible work culture enabled quick adaptation and encouraged students to actively ask questions and contribute.
Salma’s motivation to choose AILESH stemmed from the company’s strong reputation in environmental issues and community empowerment. The selection process involved filling out forms provided by the PKP study program, individual interviews via Teams, and final announcements through AILESH HR email. This experience serves as tangible proof that students of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM are capable of integrating theory with practice while strengthening their capacity to face real-world challenges.
Furthermore, this internship experience contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through experiential learning and competency development, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through student involvement in professional work environments, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration among educational institutions, communities, and industry partners. In addition, the Kehati Monitoring activities and involvement in green infrastructure initiatives align with SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land by promoting environmental awareness and ecosystem sustainability. The engagement with cocoa farmer groups in Dusun Terong also reflects the implementation of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through strengthening local communities and participatory development approaches. Salma’s story reflects the positive spirit of the Faculty of Agriculture UGM in producing graduates who are adaptive, competitive, and capable of contributing meaningfully to sustainable development.
Author: Beny Nabila Happy Fauziah
Editor: Tantriani
Documentation: Salma Darajatun