Yogyakarta, January 5, 2026─The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (Fisipol UGM), held a briefing and farewell event for the Fisipol Mengajar (Education Rehabilitation Volunteer Program) in Aceh on Monday (5/1). The Fisipol Mengajar program is an initiative of Fisipol UGM to contribute to post-disaster education recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Aceh. The program is fully supported by the university and is implemented in collaboration with the Sukma Foundation as a strategic partner. Twelve Fisipol UGM student volunteers will be deployed and placed in two different regions: Bireuen and Pidie Jaya. The twelve students will volunteer for 30 days, from January 10 to February 8, 2026.
The Fisipol Mengajar program has received a very positive response from Fisipol UGM students. More than 90 students have registered for the program. After a multi-stage selection process at the study program and faculty levels, 12 students were selected who were deemed ready to go directly into the field.
The volunteer selection and preparation process was relatively short. Registration opened on December 31, 2025, and ended on January 1, 2026. The program-level selection process took place on January 1–2, 2026. The selection results were announced, and an initial briefing was held on January 3, 2026. The briefing and send-off at the faculty level took place on January 5, 2026. The volunteers departed on January 6, 2026. The volunteer training program took place on January 7–9, 2026. The field deployment took place on January 10, 2026.
In addition to contributing to educational recovery, this program also provided a crucial opportunity for the academic community to conduct ethnographic assessments of various issues and social changes in post-disaster areas. The assessment results are expected to serve as a foundation for the faculty in developing future research, including strengthening academic activities and field-based research.
To strengthen the briefing, Dr. Fina Itriyati presented material on the jotting technique as part of field notes during fieldwork. Jotting is an observation technique using short, intermediate notes. These notes serve as spontaneous primary data and record conditions at the time of the incident, making them more accurate and honest in capturing the reality on the ground. They also serve as important reflection material for volunteers upon their return.
Closing the event, Dr. Arie Sudjito, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni at UGM, encouraged the volunteers to undertake the program wholeheartedly, prepare themselves thoroughly, and always prioritize safety while on duty. This will enable them to carry out their roles effectively and return in good health.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at UGM, Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, expressed his hope that the presence of these education volunteers would provide tangible benefits to the Acehnese people currently in the recovery phase. He also emphasized the importance of respecting and understanding local culture as the primary foundation of all forms of humanitarian work and community service in the field.