Politeknik Negeri Jember (POLIJE), in collaboration with the Jember Regency Education Office (Dispendik), organized a Socialization and Public Consultation for the 5th Collaborative Community Service Program (KKN Kolaboratif) at the Soetrisno Widjaya Hall on the POLIJE campus. The initiative brought together students from various higher education institutions to prepare for a joint community service program focused on improving the quality of education in rural areas.

The Collaborative KKN program aims to mobilize university students to address educational challenges in villages by supporting literacy development and strengthening character education for elementary school students, particularly in remote communities. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, students will design and implement community-based programs that respond directly to local educational needs.

Siti Roudlotul Hikamah, Chair of the 5th Collaborative KKN Organizing Committee, emphasized that the multi-campus approach enables students to broaden the scope and impact of community engagement. She explained that participants are encouraged to develop work programs that address the most pressing issues faced by rural communities while promoting cooperation among students from different academic backgrounds.

Representing POLIJE, Wahyu Kurnia Dewanto, Vice Director for Student Affairs and Information Systems, expressed the university's full support for the initiative. He highlighted that collaborative community service is an important component of vocational education because it nurtures students' social awareness, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through direct interaction with local communities.

During the socialization session, students were encouraged to build strong partnerships across universities and work collectively to generate innovative solutions for educational development. The program emphasizes that successful community service depends on effective collaboration, careful planning, and active engagement with local stakeholders to ensure sustainable and measurable outcomes.

For POLIJE students, the Collaborative KKN provides an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while contributing to community development. By working alongside students from other institutions, participants gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary collaboration, project management, and community empowerment—essential competencies for future professionals in various sectors.

The initiative also strengthens cooperation between higher education institutions and local government in improving educational services at the grassroots level. By combining academic expertise with community participation, the program supports efforts to enhance literacy, character education, and educational access while fostering sustainable village development.

Through the 5th Collaborative Community Service Program, POLIJE reaffirms its commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically and technically competent but also socially responsible. By integrating experiential learning with community engagement, the university continues to prepare students to become innovative leaders capable of delivering practical solutions that improve education and contribute to sustainable regional development.