The Leadership and Policy Innovation (MKIK) Master Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a Field Study for the Strategic and Innovative Leadership course in Banyuraden Village, Gamping District, Sleman. The activity was attended by 21 students enrolled in the course during the current semester.
The field study was organized as part of an experiential learning approach that enables students to directly observe public leadership practices, decision-making processes, and service innovations implemented at the village government level. Banyuraden Village was selected as the location due to its reputation for developing various innovations in governance, public services, and community empowerment.
The activity began with an opening session and remarks from the course lecturer, followed by a welcoming address from the Village Head of Banyuraden, Mr. Sudarisman, S.T. In his remarks, he emphasized that strategic leadership at the local government level requires collaboration and sensitivity to community needs. “Innovation is not only about creating new programs, but also about ensuring that every service truly responds to the needs of the residents,” he stated.
Attended students a presentation on Public Service Innovation and Leadership at the Village Level, which explained the coordination processes, decision-making mechanisms, and innovative practices implemented by the village administration. Following the presentation, the session continued with a discussion and Q&A, where students had the opportunity to explore challenges and strategies faced in local governance.
“This activity gave us direct experience that we could not gain solely from classroom materials. Seeing how public service innovations are applied in the village helped us better understand real challenges in leadership at the local level,” said one of the participating students.
The next agenda was environmental observation and public service practice, allowing students directly observe service mechanisms, interactions between officials and residents, and the implementation of various innovative programs.
The activity concluded with a closing session and group photo before the participants returned to campus. Students, Through this field study, are expected to develop a more comprehensive understanding of strategic and innovative leadership and to formulate recommendations for community-based innovation ideas as part of their course outcomes.
Writer: Asti Rahmaningrum