04 September 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
Lecturers from the University of North Sumatra (USU) conducted Community Service (PKM) with the theme of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) for Women Against Illegal Online Loans in Medan Kota District in the Medan Kota District hall, Medan City, North Sumatra on Tuesday (23/7/2024).
PKM Chair, Dr. Idha Aprilyana Sembiring, S.H., M.Hum said that the community service funded by USU's NON PNBP for the 2024 budget year was carried out using the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, namely involving the community in every activity.
"In this PKM activity, an understanding of the level of awareness of legal protection was provided to 28 people in Medan Kota District regarding the importance of understanding financial literacy related to illegal online loans in order to improve women's ability to manage finances," he said.
Previously, continued Idha, participants were given a pre-test in the form of a written and discussion first to find out the extent of the knowledge of the Medan Kota District community regarding issues such as current financial conditions, use of resources in social media and understanding financial literacy. Then the pre-test results will be used as material to create an instrument in community service.
"After the pre-test, the community is given two knowledge with a lecture and discussion system. After that, a post-test is carried out on the importance of understanding the characteristics of legal online loan services, legal status and practical ways to avoid illegal online loans. The post-test results are then used as an evaluation for further activities, such as follow-up research, continued community service, external materials, and others," he explained.
Dr. Tri Murti Lubis SH M.H who is a member of PKM said, from the results of the pre-test and post-test tabulation that had been carried out, the community who followed a series of events in this community service already understood the dangers caused by the trap of illegal online loans.
"The results of this community service can also be concluded that the activities carried out and the majority of participants were satisfied with each series of events that were carried out," he said.
Meanwhile, Yeti Meliany Lubis, S.E., M.Si ., Ak., CA. who is also a member of PKM suggested that further community service be carried out to increase public understanding regarding illegal online loans.
"From this service, the team suggested that further service needs to be held in Medan Kota District, especially for young people so that they know from an early age the importance of the benefits of financial literacy and the use of legal online loans, especially good financial literacy," he said.
Yeti also said that the results of the evaluation of this service have also been reported and discussed in more depth to the Sub-district Head and they approved it.
"The Sub-district Head hopes that activities like this will continue in the future," said Yeti.
Source: https://www.rmolsumut.id/mengangkat-tema-perempuan-anti-pinjaman-online-ilegal-dosen-usu-lakukan-pkm-di-medan
