On 10 July 2024, ASEAN Studies Center (PSA) LPPM UNS in collaboration with International Relation (IR) Study Program FISIP UNS conducted a working visit to Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan, Riset dan Inovasi Daerah (Bapperida) Sragen and Badan Perencanaan, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan (Baperlitbang) Karanganyar. This visit is in the context of research called Penelitian Penguatan Institusi (PPI) 2024, that aims to explore for potential issues, studies, and collaborations. Located in Bapperida Sragen, Septyanto Galan Prakoso, S.IP., M.Sc, as an event coordinator, states three main objectives: explore the regional potential, strength interconnectivity through coordinated research, and build a good relations between PSA, IR, and the institutions.
Head of Bapperida Sragen, Aris Tri Hartanto, S.STP and team warmly welcomed the visit and invitation for cooperations from PSA and IR. Aris mentions that regional issues and potential that could be used as study material is the agriculture sector, poverty, drought disaster, Batik Goyor, and Kemukus Mountain. Currently, Sragen is one of the national rice barn areas in Indonesia, however the poverty level is still relatively high, even the highest in Karesidenan Surakarta. The poverty spreads to other problem such as dropped-out childern (Anak Tidak Sekolah/ATS) and stunting. However, Sragen received the highest appreciation for its efforts to handle stunting. Septyanto commented that there was a need for studies related to structural and cultural poverty to find out the causes of this problem.
Furthermore, PSA and IR UNS also held a working visit to Baperlitbang Karanganyar on the same day. Joko Suseno, ST., M.T., as (Plh) Head of Baperlitbang Karanganyar said that the collaboration invitation from PSA and IR UNS is an interesting offer and in line with the program called Life Center of Nusantara to strength regional economy. Joko deliver some issues that can be consider as a study material, include waste issues and tourist villages potential. Waste is one of biggest problem faced by government. Septyanto responded by giving examples of PLTSa and Smart City carried out in Solo. The other potential is tourist village, such asn Kemuning and many more. However, the problem is private parties tend to compete instead of collaborate to bring regional tourism better. This can be the next study material. Both Bapperida Sragen and Baperlitbang Karanganyar hope that this collaboration can grow the sectors within them.