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ITB Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., in his opening remarks, stated that this Studium Generale was organized as part of the university’s efforts to nurture young entrepreneurs who can contribute to Indonesia’s economic growth.
“This event is expected to provide valuable inspiration for ITB students, so that in the future they will not only become jobseekers but also job creators,” said Prof. Tata.
As part of its support for entrepreneurship development in Indonesia, ITB established the first Entrepreneurship Study Program in the country in 2012. This commitment was strengthened in 2024 when more than 100 UMKM assisted by the Ministry of UMKM and SBM ITB successfully passed the curation of the MikroMandiri Program. This achievement became a concrete evidence of ITB’s contribution in empowering UMKM through mentoring, business literacy, and capacity building.
Support also came from the local government. The Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, through his representative Hj. Sumasna, expressed the provincial government’s commitment to providing UMKM-friendly regulations and creative spaces for entrepreneurship.
“Through this event, we hope to see the birth of new entrepreneurs who can create jobs and add value to the regional economy,” he said.
On this occasion, ITB Rector together with the Secretary of the Ministry of UMKM, Arif Rahman Hakim, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of UMKM and ITB on Education, Research, and Community Service. The signing was witnessed by the Minister of UMKM, the Minister of Manpower, and the Deputy for Entrepreneurship. This strategic collaboration signifies a joint commitment to building a strong and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem. ITB is ready to be a strategic partner in fostering innovative, globally competitive young entrepreneurs who can help elevate Indonesian UMKM.
In line with this, the Ministry of Finance is currently pushing for strengthening productive sectors to stimulate the national economy. The circulation of up to Rp200 trillion in the banking sector is expected to create broader opportunities for entrepreneurs. The Ministry of UMKM supports this effort by distributing Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) throughout Indonesia. Additionally, alternative financing for entrepreneurs is being provided through the E-HUB Finance platform.
However, the biggest challenge lies in the seriousness of the younger generation. Of the 81% of Indonesian youth interested in entrepreneurship, only 8% actually run a business. In his lecture, Minister of UMKM Maman Abdurrahman emphasized the importance of mentality and perseverance for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The future will not be kind to those who are lazy. The future will not be peaceful for those without determination and strategy. But the future will compromise with those who think positively about failure, have strong determination, and dare to dream of shaping tomorrow,” he stressed.
He illustrated that UMKM can be likened to ants—small but spread across every corner of Indonesia. Their development requires the contribution of students nationwide as drivers of innovation. In this regard, universities hold a strategic role in fostering UMKM, namely by acting as promoters and users of local products, conducting pro-UMKM policy research to provide sustainable recommendations, and running business incubators to strengthen the national entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Beyond job creation, UMKM have been proven to contribute significantly to Indonesia’s economic growth. Therefore, the strategies, tactics, and determination of young entrepreneurs must be fully supported by the government. This synergy will be the key to nurturing a golden generation of entrepreneurs who are resilient, innovative, and capable of advancing Indonesian UMKM to greater heights.