The MIKROINSPIA program, held on Sunday, 5 October 2025 by the Association of Agricultural Microbiology Students (PERMAHAMI), Faculty of Agriculture UGM, provided a new and meaningful experience for participating students—particularly in developing empathy, social awareness, and a deeper understanding of children’s education. Conducted at the Realino Learning Community, the event offered an opportunity for Agricultural Microbiology students to directly engage in teaching kindergarten to elementary school children from diverse economic backgrounds and varying levels of educational access.
The Event Coordinator, Oddie Christian Tamzil, revealed that his previous volunteer experiences were the main inspiration behind the program. In an interview, he expressed that learning and teaching are two distinct yet closely connected experiences, and he hoped students could gain insights from both perspectives.
“I realized that learning and teaching are two very different things… and I want others to experience that as well,” he said.
Through this program, students had the chance to face the real dynamics of the teaching–learning process, including understanding the diverse personalities of young children. Oddie explained that this experience broadened the students’ perspectives in exploring how children learn.
“To be honest, teaching the children there requires a lot of patience. Their family and economic backgrounds vary greatly, and that strongly influences how they grow and adapt. From this, the students learned about the real world.”
He also emphasized how this experience cultivated deeper empathy. Oddie expressed that students should begin opening their eyes to the reality that many people around them still need support. He highlighted the importance of recognizing humans as social beings who are not only responsible for fulfilling their own needs but also for contributing to the well-being of others through simple, meaningful actions.
Beyond benefiting the children, the program enriched students as future graduates who will eventually work alongside communities. The experience of teaching, understanding children’s emotions, and adapting to real-life situations provides valuable lessons that are not formally taught in the classroom.
Through this initiative, MIKROINSPIA has become not only a platform for sharing knowledge but also a space for students to strengthen empathy, sharpen social sensitivity, and understand that education is not merely theoretical—it exists in the real lives of the people around them.
This program reflects the commitment of the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, UGM, to support the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Writer: Noor Amelia Putri