Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – Efforts to strengthen the economic potential of local communities continue through the Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program (PPK Ormawa). As part of this initiative, UMPWR’s Science and Technology Student Activity Unit (UKM Saintek) has provided a new space for local entrepreneurs in Karangbolong Village, Buayan District, Kebumen Regency, through the inauguration of an UMKM Showroom and Production House.
Held at the Karangbolong Village Hall on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the inauguration was part of the PPK Ormawa program carried out by UKM Saintek UMPWR. The event was attended by 58 participants, including representatives of the Karang Taruna youth organization, the Karangbolong Village Government, PKK cadres, community leaders, the UMPWR Rector, UMPWR lecturers, the Kebumen Office of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and SMEs (Disperindag KUKM), as well as the PPK Ormawa team from UKM Saintek.
The showroom and production house are expected to provide greater opportunities for local UMKM entrepreneurs to introduce and market their products. Instead of relying solely on individual sales, local products can now be displayed in a shared space that is accessible to residents and visitors coming to Karangbolong Village.
The program also aims to make better use of the natural resources available in Karangbolong. By developing local potential into products with greater added value, the initiative is expected to open up new economic opportunities for the community.
UMPWR Rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teguh Wibowo, M.Pd., expressed his appreciation to the Karangbolong Village Government and the community for their collaboration with UMPWR through the PPK Ormawa program.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Karangbolong Village officials and their staff, the village head, and all the residents of Karangbolong for the collaboration that has been established between UMPWR and the village government through the PPK Ormawa Program. This is a concrete manifestation of our commitment to engaging directly with the community,” he said.
He emphasized that universities should not limit their role to academic activities on campus. The presence of students and the wider academic community should also bring tangible benefits to society through programs that respond to local needs and help develop the potential of communities.
Meanwhile, Head of the UMPWR Student Affairs Division, Dedi Runanto, S.E., M.Si., said that the showroom and production house represent a tangible contribution from students toward developing the potential of the local community.
“Programs like this give students an opportunity to learn while making a direct contribution to the community. What we are building is not merely a facility, but also a process of mentoring and collaboration so that the potential of UMKM in Karangbolong can continue to grow,” he said.
Dedi added that student involvement in PPK Ormawa is also expected to foster greater awareness of issues within the community. Students are not simply bringing a program to the village; they are also learning to understand its potential, needs, and real conditions firsthand.
A similar view was shared by UKM Saintek UMPWR representative, Naswa Kamilatun Nuha. She explained that the showroom and production house are intended to provide local UMKM entrepreneurs with a shared space to introduce and promote their products.
“We hope this showroom will not only serve as a place to display products, but also become a space that the community can continue to use to develop and promote Karangbolong’s UMKM products. We also want the potential of the village to become better known to the wider community,” she said.
Through this program, UKM Saintek UMPWR hopes that collaboration among students, the village government, and the local community will continue even after the PPK Ormawa program ends. The showroom and production house are expected to serve as an important first step toward strengthening local UMKM activities while making the most of Karangbolong’s potential.
For UMPWR, the initiative is also part of the university’s commitment to community engagement. By involving students directly in the field, student programs are expected to go beyond activities on campus and create meaningful benefits that can be felt, developed, and sustained by the community.
