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Students Can Borrow Laptops, Fisipol UGM is Consistent with the GPL Program Movement

Yogyakarta, July 1st 2024─The need for electronic devices is one of the important things for students in terms of access to education. However, even in today’s digital era, not all students have the same opportunity to own a device, which in this case is a laptop. This difficulty became the background for the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) UGM to mobilize the Laptop Lend Movement (Gerakan Pinjam Laptop/ GPL).This movement has been around since the pandemic in 2020. At that time, learning which was carried out online, gave rise to various complaints from students. One of the most frequent complaints is that laptops are damaged, especially, from students who are working on their thesis.

“Finally, from there, we provided 20 laptops,” said Ika Wulandari Widyaningrum, M.B.A., as Coordinator of Academic and Student Affairs.

Initially, the GPL Program was only targeted to reach the students who were undertaking their final assignments. However, the success of this program, which was initially set as a temporary one, has become the attraction of FISIPOL UGM and the reason to continue implementing the GPL program to this day. This program is also a good implementation of the 4th point of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Quality Education.

Laptops, originally reserved for students who were writing their theses, can now be borrowed by all students with academic interests. The requirement is that laptops can only be borrowed for a certain period. “We still prioritize students with final assignments,” added Ika.

The laptop loan period for active students is three months. This rule is to ensure that the GPL Program can be implemented evenly. If during the loan period, there is damage to the laptop, the student will not be given special sanctions and will only be asked to repair the damage. This solution is provided so as not to burden students.

The procedure for borrowing a laptop is not complicated. Students only need to fill out a loan form, which is obtained from the administration office. The form states the student’s data, the loan period, and a statement that the laptop will be returned in the same condition as when it was lent. This is done to anticipate any damage during the loan period.

It is hoped that the GPL program will continue to exist in line with FISIPOL UGM’s commitment to providing learning support and easy access for students in pursuing their education.