UKDW and Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs Partner to Accelerate Poverty Alleviation in Yogyakarta
Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta, along with 15 other universities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos RI) to accelerate poverty reduction and strengthen social welfare initiatives in the region.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kemensos RI and the 16 universities took place on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Graha Sabha Pramana, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The event was held in conjunction with Berani Graduasi: Ready to Realize a Golden Generation, a ceremony celebrating the graduation of families from social assistance programs who are now transitioning to economic independence through empowerment initiatives.
The event was attended by Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (popularly known as Gus Ipul), Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono, Director General of Social Empowerment at the Ministry of Social Affairs Mira Riyati Kurniasih, Head of the Yogyakarta Social Services Agency Endang Patmintarsih, and university rectors from the 16 participating institutions.
In his remarks, Minister Gus Ipul emphasized that social assistance is a temporary right—not a permanent status. “Social assistance is the beginning of empowerment, not the end of the journey. It is temporary support for lasting self-reliance,” he stated.
He encouraged recipients of the Family Hope Program (Program Keluarga Harapan or PKH) to move beyond dependency and become self-sufficient entrepreneurs through access to training, mentorship, and startup capital.
Director General Mira Riyati Kurniasih noted that this collaboration is part of a national strategy to accelerate poverty alleviation using a social empowerment approach.
As part of this initiative, UKDW has developed several innovative programs focused on education, training, research, and community engagement. UKDW Rector Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih, affirmed that the partnership reflects UKDW’s ongoing commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community service—and its active role in addressing pressing social challenges.
“We hope this collaboration will create a lasting and measurable impact on community welfare, particularly in Yogyakarta. UKDW is ready to serve as a strategic partner in implementing empowerment- and innovation-based poverty alleviation programs,” the Rector stated.
This partnership marks a significant step toward academically grounded social transformation and cross-sector collaboration to build a more prosperous and self-reliant society in Yogyakarta. [humasukdw/tr.drr]
