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“Community service is not just how students get involved in society. More than that, the dedication to the community can be seen as a humanitarian work. As humanitarian work, Community service has a transcendental aspect that contains theological content. Devotion is part of worship. Therefore, the aspects that are problematic in society are not just the imagination of the academic community, but what is more fundamental is that service is carried out by reading the reality in society which is quite complex". These main ideas were conveyed by the Director of PTKI, Ministry of Religion, Prof. Dr. M. Arskal Salim GP when he was a speaker at the event "Technical Evaluation, Training of Trainer (TO), Signing of the Self-Management Cooperation Agreement (PKS), and Technical Guidance for the Substance-Administration of the 2019 Mental Revolution Thematic KKN” in Manado. At the event organized by the Deputy for Coordination of Religious Education at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Prof. Arskal said that community service should be carried out seriously because it is a distinction that Indonesian universities have. The seriousness with which community service is handled will have implications for the progress of higher education. Furthermore, Prof. Arskal invited us to learn about the position of universities in developed countries. A country's progress is influenced by the condition of its universities. "Therefore, if we want to advance our country, our PT must be triggered to progress.", emphasized Prof. Arskal. In connection with PTKI, Prof. Arskal said there are two things that make up the distinctive character. First, namely scientific integration. This character is important because up to now there has been an impression of conflict between Islam and science. For this reason, scientific integration is an important aspect for PTKI. Second, religious moderation. Religious moderation is an effort to make a positive contribution to PTKI as part of the nation to continue to care for national struggles and values. Religious moderation, emphasized Prof. Arskal, is the most important foundation. If not moderation, then you will be trapped at the extreme right and extreme left. And this is dangerous for our national life.
Related to community service, Prof. Arskal explains several steps that can be taken, that is: (1) starting from the bottom; (2) starting from the campus circle; (3) digitized and connected. With these three steps, it is hoped that social transformation will occur so that there will be an increase in the capacity of lecturers and the community in the context of service. This becomes possible by continuously developing a creative and innovative attitude. At the end of his presentation, Prof. Arskal mentioned several examples of PTKIN developing community service that are interesting to use as examples. UIN Raden Intan Lampung is developing village digitalization, UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Pekanbaru Riau develops information literacy, and IAIN Tulungagung which has just received an award as the best university implementing Mental Revolution KKN this year 2018 as the best implementer of Governance that develops literacy of KKN results, tourist village, and digital village (Drink Naim).
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