The Agency for Human Resource Development and Empowerment of Villagers, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (BPSDM) of the Ministry of Villages PDTT signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bojonegoro Regency Government, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), and Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) on Friday (27/5) . Located on the 11th floor of the UNESA Rectorate Building, the memorandum of understanding brought up relates to improving the quality of human resources through the development of the Village Recognition Program (RPL) in the district of Bojonegoro.

Prof. Dr. Luthfiyah Nurlaela, M.Pd., the head of BPSDM, said that the current RPL Program is a pilot project conducted by UNY and UNESA. "I hope it will be possible to have representatives of BPSDM Ministry of Villages and from the Bojonegoro Regency Government to share their experience as guest lecturers or mentors in implementing the community development curriculum," she said. Prof. Luthfiyah also thanks UNY and UNESA for supporting education for rural communities through RPL.

UNY Rector, Prof. Sumaryanto expressed his gratitude for the trust of the Ministry of Villages, PDTT, and the government of Bojonegoro Regency to UNY in their participation in developing education for rural communities through the RPL program. "Thanks to BPSDM and UNESA and the Bojonegoro Regency Government. Hopefully, we will have a great and enjoyable learning experience. However, please, do not hesitate to inform us whenever any improvement on the RPL Program is needed," Prof. Sumaryanto said.

UNESA Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Bambang Yulianto, M.Pd., hopes that the RPL program will reach a further level. "RPL Desa should not stop here. It must have more developments and a better concept of implementing community service, which UNY and UNESA can do in the future together with Bojonegoro government," he added.

RPL Desa is a program of the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (Kemendesa PDTT) in collaboration with the Bojonegoro Regency Government (Pemkab), UNY and UNESA. RPL Desa students are village heads, officials, village-owned enterprises (BUMDES), assistants, and village activists in Bojonegoro Regency. The latter receive scholarships and will study for four semesters or two years.

This collaboration in the Village RPL program is one of the efforts to achieve the village's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lifelong education for the community. (Pras, Tj.Lak)