DENPASAR, OborDewata.com – Bali Governor Wayan Koster officially launched the Kerthi Bali Sejahtera Village Community Service Program at the Ardha Candra Open Stage, Bali Province Cultural Center, Denpasar, on Wednesday (15/7). This initiative marks a strategic move by the Bali Provincial Government to strengthen collaboration with higher education institutions, aiming to accelerate village-based development as part of the vision Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali through the Planned Universal Development Pattern toward a New Era of Bali.
In his remarks, Governor Wayan Koster expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, the Bali Provincial Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA), and all heads of higher education institutions in Bali. He commended their collaborative effort in launching a collective movement to accelerate village-based development through community service. According to Koster, the program is not merely a ceremonial agenda but a concrete step to ground the provincial vision.
The Governor emphasized that Bali’s development must not be concentrated solely in urban or tourism areas, but must grow from the villages as the core foundation of regional growth.
“We want to ensure that Bali’s development is not just centered in cities or tourism zones, but thrives from its grassroots—the villages,” Governor Koster stated firmly.
Furthermore, the Governor explained that the vision Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali aims to preserve the purity and harmony of Bali’s nature and its contents to realize a prosperous and happy life for the Balinese people, both spiritually and physically. Achieving this vision requires synergy across all components of society through a collaborative framework involving the government, academia, the business sector, communities, and the media.
“Development cannot be achieved by the government alone. We need synergy from all elements of the nation through the collaboration of Government, Higher Education, Business, Communities, and the Media,” he said.
According to Governor Koster, the village is the ultimate foundation of Bali, where culture is nurtured, nature is preserved, and the Balinese identity is shaped. Therefore, through this program, the noble values of Sad Kerthi are integrated into various concrete work programs that directly benefit rural communities. This program also serves as an implementation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), aligned with the Bali Provincial Government’s policy directions to ensure effective, efficient, and targeted development.
This year’s Kerthi Bali Sejahtera Program involves 39 higher education institutions across Bali, deploying 12,942 students and 953 field supervisors to villages across the island. The Governor views this massive turnout as an immense intellectual force that, if properly directed, can help communities resolve various development challenges.
Addressing the students, Governor Koster shared four key messages. First, to be humble learners who engage directly with the community to listen, understand, and work together. Second, to be problem solvers capable of addressing various village issues. Third, to be innovators who introduce simple breakthroughs to improve the quality of life. Fourth, to be future leaders possessing integrity, social awareness, and a spirit of mutual cooperation.
“I hope all students can leave a tangible mark of service, not just activity reports,” he requested.
Governor Koster added that the program is directed toward accelerating various priority initiatives of the Bali Provincial Government. These include source-based waste management, the Clean Bali Waste Movement, restrictions on single-use plastics, and the protection of lakes, springs, rivers, and oceans. It also covers strengthening organic farming, promoting local Balinese products, empowering MSMEs and the village economy, and preserving local customs, arts, culture, language, script, and traditional woven fabrics. Furthermore, it supports the “One Family, One Graduate” program, among other village-based initiatives. The Governor hopes that students and supervisors can become strategic partners for village governments, traditional villages, and local communities.
Closing his remarks, Governor Koster expressed optimism that this collaborative movement would become a powerful force in realizing progressive villages, prosperous communities, a sustainable environment, an independent economy, and a stronger Balinese culture.
“I believe that if this movement is carried out consistently and sustainably, we will be able to achieve advanced villages, prosperous communities, a sustainable environment, an independent economy, and an increasingly solid Balinese culture,” Governor Koster concluded.
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fully Backs Governor Koster’s Program
Meanwhile, the Director of Research and Community Service at the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. I Ketut Adnyana, voiced full support for the program. He noted that the initiative launched by the Bali Provincial Government aligns perfectly with the ministry’s policy to encourage community service that yields a tangible impact on development.
Prof. Adnyana revealed that the ministry will soon launch the Mahasiswa Berdampak (Impactful Students) program, which focuses on social transformation through the active involvement of students in addressing community issues.
He added that the central government places great importance on waste management issues. Consequently, the ministry stands ready to optimize its various programs to support the Bali Provincial Government’s policies, including source-based waste management and other regional development initiatives.
“We fully support the Governor’s program because it aligns with the initiatives in our directorate. The central government is also deeply concerned about waste issues. We are ready to utilize all available programs to support various development initiatives in Bali,” Prof. I Ketut Adnyana stated. mas/sathya
