Banda Aceh | Two State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), namely Perum Jamkrindo and PT Askrindo, officially closed and welcomed the Student Introduction to the Archipelago Program (SMN). For two weeks, students from West Kalimantan and Aceh tried to promote and learn more about the province known as the Veranda of Mecca.
The leader of the student group, Hatta Abdul Haji, said that after the tsunami disaster and the peace agreement in the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Aceh has become much safer and better. "We appreciate this kind of BUMN program, so that young students can promote the natural beauty, culture, economic potential, and the current safe and comfortable situation in Aceh," said this exemplary teacher from West Kalimantan at the end of his two-week visit to Aceh Province in Banda Aceh on Saturday (2/01/2016).
The visit of students from West Kalimantan was part of the SMN program, "Indonesia, My Proud Nation." The committee sent off the group of 17 students to Pontianak. At the same time, the committee also welcomed high school (SMU) 11th-grade students from Aceh who had just returned from visiting DKI Jakarta Province.
Assistant II of the Aceh Regional Secretariat, Azhari, expressed his gratitude to the two BUMNs for selecting Aceh as one of the destinations for the Student Introduction to the Archipelago program. On behalf of the Aceh Government, he also appreciated Jamkrindo and Askrindo for facilitating the selection of Acehnese students to participate in this program.
President Director of Perum Jamkrindo, Diding S. Anwar, said that this program is part of the larger "BUMN Present for the Nation" initiative launched by Minister of BUMN Rini Soemarno last August.
Diding stated that this program is a tangible manifestation of the national "Ayo Kerja" program as well as a reflection of the national Mental Revolution Movement. "Through this activity, the younger generation is encouraged to foster a sense of nationalism by getting to know the diversity of cultures and the richness of the archipelago as a foundation for the nation's strength in competing internationally," he said via a text message.
During their stay in Aceh, the students visited three regions: Banda Aceh City, Sabang City, and Takengon. They studied various aspects, including education, culture, tourism potential, and economic prospects in these areas.
On this occasion, Assistant II of the Aceh Regional Secretariat explained that as a region that implements Islamic Sharia, various aspects related to Sharia are enforced in Aceh. Therefore, there are government agencies such as departments or bodies that do not exist in other regions of Indonesia, such as the Islamic Sharia Office, the Dayah Development and Education Agency, and the Ulama Consultative Council (MPU).
It was stated that 26% of the economy in this region, which has a population of nearly 5 million, relies on the agriculture and plantation sectors, while the rest depends on the marine and fisheries sectors.
The students also visited several tourist attractions in Aceh, including the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, the Zero Kilometer Monument in Sabang and its stunning underwater beauty, Lake Laut Tawar, and Aceh's agrotourism destinations.
Acting Corporate Secretary of Perum Jamkrindo, Hafizah, hoped that all students selected as ambassadors of this program would not only absorb what they see and experience at their destination but, more importantly, that what they gain will inspire them to contribute to the nation's progress in the future.
Head of the Aceh Branch of Perum Jamkrindo, Abdillah, added that this event marked the conclusion of a long series of activities under the BUMN Present for the Nation program. Previously, Jamkrindo and Askrindo had collaborated on various programs in Aceh Province under the mandate given by the Ministry of BUMN. These programs included home renovations for veterans, distribution of basic necessities, low-cost markets, provision of laboratory facilities for vocational schools, healthy walk events, mangrove planting, and decorative car parades. *team