SDG 16 In Number
Number of graduates
6,213
Number of graduates from law and enforcement related courses
1,554
16.2.2 Students' Union
Empowering Students through an Independent Students’ Union: BEM UNS as a Driver of Governance, Student Support, and Social Engagement
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) recognizes the importance of fostering student engagement and participation in campus governance through an independent students’ union. At UNS, the Student Executive Board (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa or BEM UNS) serves as a university-level student representative organization and a platform for students to voice their aspirations, contribute to university governance, access support services, and participate in social activities. Through its representative role and independently organized programs, BEM UNS helps ensure that students have opportunities to participate in institutional processes and contribute to a more inclusive, accountable, and participatory university environment. These efforts reflect UNS’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, particularly promoting inclusive institutions, meaningful participation, and responsive governance.
BEM UNS as an Independent Students’ Union
The Student Executive Board of Universitas Sebelas Maret (BEM UNS), under the “Gema Aksara” Cabinet, is a university-level student organization that plays a critical role in coordinating student aspirations, enhancing student engagement, and promoting positive change within the campus and broader community. As a forum that represents and amplifies students’ needs and perspectives, BEM UNS helps create a dynamic, progressive, and socially responsive academic environment.
BEM UNS aims to develop the potential of UNS students across academic and non-academic domains. Through its programs, BEM UNS fosters an inclusive campus environment, supports diversity, and provides a platform for students to express their opinions and participate in student-led initiatives. The organization serves not only as a representative body but also as a facilitator of activities that enhance academic quality, leadership, and social skills.
BEM UNS regularly organizes programs and activities involving students from various faculties, including public discussions, seminars, leadership training, social actions, and awareness campaigns. Topics often cover politics, human rights, the environment, and sustainable development, facilitating critical discourse and encouraging students to engage with issues affecting society and institutions.
Unon Provides Governance Input to the University
An independent students’ union gives students a representative channel to engage in governance processes, communicate their aspirations, and contribute perspectives on institutional and public issues. BEM UNS supports this role by encouraging students to develop critical awareness, participate in public discussions, and engage with institutions and decision-making processes.
- Study Visit to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Indonesia (Mahkamah Konstitusi or MK) received a study visit from the Student Executive Board (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa or BEM) of the Faculty of Law, Sebelas Maret University (FH UNS), Surakarta, on Monday, September 15, 2025. Ahmad Junaedi, Principal Legal Counsel at the Constitutional Court, welcomed the visiting delegation.
In front of the 80 students participating in the study visit, Junaedi explained the Constitutional Court’s duties and authorities as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. These include reviewing laws against the Constitution, resolving disputes over the constitutional authority of state institutions, deciding on the dissolution of political parties, resolving disputes concerning general election results, and issuing decisions on the House of Representatives’ (DPR) opinion regarding alleged violations by the President and/or Vice President.
This activity provided student representatives with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of constitutional governance, the rule of law, and the role of independent state institutions. By facilitating students’ engagement with a key public institution, BEM FH UNS encouraged informed participation and critical perspectives on governance, which are important foundations of SDG 16.
Source
https://www.mkri.id/berita/bem-fh-uns-kunjungan-studi-ke-mk-23760
Union Provides Support for Students
BEM UNS actively supports students through initiatives that promote accessibility, equality, protection, and well-being. In collaboration with university units and student organizations, BEM UNS connects students with relevant services and creates opportunities to access information and assistance, especially to address barriers to participation and campus life.
- Promoting Disability Inclusion and Access to Information on Campus Services
The Disability Studies Center of the Institute for Research and Community Service at Universitas Sebelas Maret (PSD LPPM UNS), together with BEM UNS, officially launched a campus inclusion campaign by distributing disability service information banners (X-banners) across all faculties and central units of UNS. This initiative followed a collaborative program between PSD LPPM UNS and BEM UNS’s Equality Ministry to strengthen access to information about services available to students with disabilities.
The Head of PSD LPPM UNS, Prof. Munawir Yusuf, M.Psi., emphasized that the campaign was a practical step toward ensuring that all students are aware of the services available to them. The initiative aimed to make information more accessible and ensure that students with disabilities know where to find support.
Through this collaboration, BEM UNS helped promote equal access to campus services and foster a more inclusive learning environment. The initiative supports SDG 16 by encouraging inclusive institutional practices and ensuring that students, including those with disabilities, are better informed about available support.
- Strengthening Support and Reporting Services for Students Experiencing Violence
On Monday, May 26, 2025, the UNS Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPK UNS) and the Equality Ministry of BEM UNS signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen reporting and assistance services for sexual violence cases on campus through the We Care program. The activity took place in the Joint Meeting Room of the UNS Procurement Services Unit Building and was attended by members of Satgas PPK UNS and BEM UNS representatives.
Prof. Dr. Ismi Dwi Astuti Nurhaeni, M.Si., Chair of Satgas PPK UNS, emphasized the importance of encouraging students to report incidents and welcomed the We Care initiative as a way to help students feel safe sharing their experiences and, subsequently, access formal reporting channels through Satgas PPK UNS. She also highlighted the importance of understanding the reporting forms and procedures.
Meanwhile, BEM UNS, through its Aurora and We Care teams, presented the services offered, including the Listening Service (Layanan Berkisah) and the Assistance and Advocacy Service (Layanan Pengawalan). The teams also explained the standard operating procedures designed to bridge students and Satgas PPK UNS. Confidentiality, integrity commitments, and mechanisms for collaborative communication were also key topics of discussion.
The meeting resulted in agreements on cooperation arrangements, reporting procedures, and the development of educational content. Through this collaboration, BEM UNS helps improve students’ access to support and reporting mechanisms while strengthening a safer, more inclusive, and accountable campus environment. This initiative reflects SDG 16 principles by promoting access to justice, protection, and responsive institutional mechanisms.
- Promoting Disability Awareness and an Inclusive Campus Culture
On September 12, 2025, PSD LPPM UNS, in collaboration with BEM UNS, organized a Disability Sensitivity Seminar entitled “Growing Together Without Limits: Building a Disability-Friendly Campus Culture” (Tumbuh Bersama Tanpa Batas: Menumbuhkan Budaya Kampus Ramah Disabilitas). The event took place at the FISIP UNS Auditorium and was open to the public, attracting students, lecturers, administrative staff, and members of the wider community.
The seminar was part of PSD LPPM UNS and BEM UNS’s joint commitment to broaden awareness of disability inclusion among the academic community and encourage a more accessible, responsive, and barrier-free campus environment for all students.
Through this activity, UNS sought to strengthen the empathy, preparedness, and competence of students and administrative staff in interacting with and supporting students with disabilities. By raising awareness and promoting equal participation, BEM UNS contributes to building inclusive institutional practices aligned with SDG 16.
Union Provides Social Activities
BEM UNS organizes a range of social and community engagement activities, including public education, training sessions, cultural initiatives, public dialogues, and community empowerment programs. Through these activities, the students’ union encourages students to take an active role in addressing social challenges and contributing to their communities. BEM UNS also maintains an active social media presence to share its programs and encourage student participation, strengthening the union’s role in campus life beyond academics.
- UNS CARE 2025: Free Health Education and Medical Checkups for the Community
Through its Social and Community Affairs Ministry (Kementerian Sosial Masyarakat or Sosma), BEM UNS organized UNS Care 2025 in Lemahbang Village, Kismantoro District, Wonogiri Regency. The activity demonstrated BEM UNS’s commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.
Held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, UNS Care 2025 attracted strong participation from local residents through a series of health education sessions and free medical checkups. The event carried the theme “Serving Together: Delivering Equitable and Sustainable Healthcare” (Ngabdi Nyawiji: Hadirkan Kesehatan yang Adil dan Lestari), reflecting UNS students’ commitment to working together to provide meaningful community service and promote equitable, sustainable access to health information and services.
Dr. Enrico Ananda Budiono used accessible language to ensure participants could easily understand the information. Residents actively participated by listening to the presentation, asking questions, and engaging in discussions with the speaker.
Overall, UNS Care 2025 created a positive atmosphere and delivered practical benefits to the community through health education and direct services. This student-led social activity shows how BEM UNS facilitates collective action and community participation, supporting the broader principles of inclusive and responsive institutions promoted by SDG 16.
- Strengthening Local MSMEs through Digital Marketing Training
BEM UNS provided training and educational assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Gebang Village, Nguntoronadi District, Wonogiri Regency. Held at the Gebang Village Hall on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the activity was entitled “Digital Marketing and Attractive Packaging: Helping Wonogiri’s Brem and Dodol Products Reach a Higher Market Level.” It featured Lutfi Auliarahman, S.M., M.M., a UNS lecturer specializing in Digital Marketing. Participants included members of the local Family Welfare Movement (PKK) and brem producers from Gebang Village.
The activity was part of the 2025 Student Impact Program (Program Mahasiswa Berdampak) implemented by BEM UNS and supported by funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. UNS students and lecturers developed practical solutions to support the local community. Gebang Village was selected because it has strong economic potential in producing brem, tempeh, and cashew nuts, its leading local commodities.
Through this initiative, BEM UNS facilitated knowledge transfer and community empowerment by helping local entrepreneurs strengthen their digital marketing and product packaging capabilities. The activity shows how student-led social engagement can encourage community participation, strengthen local capacity, and support more inclusive and sustainable development, complementing the objectives of SDG 16.
Source: https://uns.ac.id/id/uns-update/bem-uns-dorong-penguatan-umkm-lewat-pelatihan-pemasaran-digital.html
Conclusion
BEM UNS demonstrates the role of an independent students’ union through its contributions to university governance, student support, and social activities. As a student representative organization, it provides a platform for students to engage with governance issues, facilitates access to support services, and mobilizes student participation in community initiatives. Through collaborations with university units, public institutions, and local communities, BEM UNS encourages meaningful participation, promotes inclusion, and strengthens institutional responsiveness. These contributions reflect UNS’s commitment to SDG 16, particularly the development of inclusive, accountable, and participatory institutions.