On the second day of PKKMABA 2024, held on 16th August 2024, the theme “Build Your Character, Start With Exploration” was the focus of the event, featuring a session on the introduction to the Student Creativity Programme (PKM). The session was delivered by the accomplished Oktavia Rahayu Adianingsih, S.Farm., M.Biomed., from the Department of Pharmacy at Universitas Brawijaya’s Faculty of Medicine (FK UB), who also serves as the Head of the PKM Centre at FK UB.
Oktavia Rahayu Adianingsih, a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from FK UB, pursued further education with a Master’s degree in Biomedicine and completed her professional qualification as a pharmacist. Her achievements in PKM are outstanding, having won three medals and successfully qualified for PIMNAS five times. As a mentor, she has successfully guided 11 student groups to secure PKM funding.
This session, moderated by Miftahul Jannah, focused on introducing the 2024 PKM Programme. This year’s PKM offers eight funded categories: PKM Entrepreneurship (K), PKM Creative Works (KC), PKM Karsa Cipta (KI), PKM Exact Research (RE), PKM Social Humanities Research (RSH), PKM Constructive Idea Videos (VGK), PKM Community Service (PM), and PKM Science and Technology Implementation (PI). Additionally, there are two incentive categories: PKM Scientific Article (AI) and PKM Written Futuristic Ideas (GFT). The guidebook containing different formats for each category can be accessed here.
Oktavia Rahayu Adianingsih, S.Farm., M.Biomed., also explained the various benefits that can be gained from PKM, including the opportunity to convert achievements into academic credits (SKS) or obtain a Certificate of Accomplishment (SKPI) as part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) programme. The PKM activities flow from proposal drafting and submission, announcement of funding winners, programme implementation, Progress Presentation (PKP2), announcement of final reports and outcomes, to the announcement of teams qualifying for PIMNAS and championship presentations at PIMNAS.
Each PKM team consists of 3-5 students with one team leader. It is important to note that each student is only allowed to submit one proposal. The proposal writing, reporting, and administration must comply with the specified format and regulations, as these are key factors in determining the success of the proposal.
To assist students in selecting research topics with the potential to qualify for PKM, Oktavia Rahayu Adianingsih, S.Farm., M.Biomed., provided tips and tricks such as observing surrounding problems, learning from previous PIMNAS winning research by watching PKP2 or PIMNAS presentations, and reading the Innovation and Product Books from previous years. She also emphasised that the proposed ideas must have novelty, innovation, and be scientifically based on previous research.
The PKM Innovation Book, which contains sample posters from previous years’ PIMNAS qualifiers, can be accessed via the Simbelmawa platform here.
Through this session, it is hoped that new students will be inspired and motivated to participate in PKM 2024 and develop their character through the exploration of creativity and innovation.