CIAMIS (28 September 2021) - In the last week of the institutional practicum, the Head of the Social Protection and Empowerment Study Program at the Bandung Social Welfare Polytechnic (Poltekesos), Lina Favourita Sutiaputri, together with the administrators and homebase lecturers of the study program, supervised the public hearing of student field findings, Tuesday (28/9/21).

This institutional practicum activity carried out by students at the Ciamis Regency Social Service refers to one of the profiles of graduates from the Social Protection and Empowerment Study Program, namely as a Social Empowerment Analyst.

From the results of the presentation, students found problems related to the empowerment of PKH and Youth Organizations (Karang Taruna) in Ciamis Regency. Students see PKH empowerment collaboration, especially in terms of product packaging and marketing through the PKH shop, is still experiencing many obstacles.

Meanwhile, Karang Taruna's empowerment is passive, undeveloped, and has not been classified according to the Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 25 of 2019.

The Social Service, represented by the Head of the Social Assistance and Protection Division, Rismunandar, confirmed that the results of the student assessment were following the problems in the field and those faced by the Social Service, especially budget and empowerment issues. He also admitted that the Social Service has not been maximal in giving color in handling problems.

However, the Social Service continues to innovate by exploring sources in terms of empowering KPM for delegate programs from the Ministry of Social Affairs, especially PKH, as well as continuing to build networks and collaborations with other related agencies/institutions. The results of assessments and programs designed by students will be used as input for the Social Service for the development of empowerment innovations in the future.

Overall, the practicum was well appreciated, students were considered very active and had good communication skills in every activity. As the first experience for the Social Protection and Empowerment Study Program, Deputy Director II, Wawan Heryana, considers that the implementation of this practicum is already on track following the profile of the graduates.

"In addition to developing the ability to analyze problems or policies, students should not stop learning and need to improve their ability to build networks with stakeholders," he said.

The Director of Poltekesos, Marjuki, who attended the public hearing also expressed his hope that students could develop competence in applying social work technology, and the resulting practicum output could be input for Poltekesos, especially in developing the curriculum for the Social Protection and Empowerment Study Program.