UNS — The Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a National Webinar on ‘Initiating A Collaboration for CSR Implementation in Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka Program’, Wednesday (30/6/2021). This webinar was live-streamed through the Faculty of Agriculture UNS YouTube Channel.
Speakers from academics, government representatives, and industry attended the webinar. Among the big names that attend the National Webinar are Dr. Agung Wibowo, Rachmad Handoyo, SPi. MM., Sunardi, S.P., M.Si., dan Afief Nazaruddin, S.P. Commission IX of the Republic of Indonesia House of Representatives (DPR RI), and a CSR Activist, Rachmad Handoyo, stated that firms that have implemented CSR would run their business smoothly and accepted by the community. However, ex-DPR RI Member who takes care of agricultural, forestry, and marine affairs also mentioned that not all firms have implemented CSR and proved by decreasing forest-covered areas in Borneo, which is less than 30% of the total Borneo area.
“From this data, there are mining and damaged forests. While according to the mandate from the people, firms in Natural Resources exploration must discuss and implement CSR,” he said.
FP UNS Faculty Member, Dr. Agung Wibowo, supported this statement. He added that Indonesian firms have low awareness of CSR. Several government programs are also not in sync with people’s needs, and many firms consider CSR a waste of money that does not increase the firm’s profit. Even though CSR has been regulated in Law No. 40 of 2007 regarding Incorporated Company, Law No. 25 of 2007 regarding Capital Investment, Law No. 4 of 2009 regarding Mineral and Coal Mining, Law No. 32 of 2009 regarding Environmental Protection and Management, Law No. 22 of 2001 regarding Oil and Gas, and State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister Decree No PER-08/MBU/2013.
Indonesia has a high potential for CSR implementation. In 2015 alone, it was estimated that 700 firms, including SOE and private entities, issued around IDR 12 Trillion CSR funds. If stakeholders, including campus, practitioners, academics, and consultants, could optimize the use of these funds, it will positively impact the firm, community, and the environment. “The most appropriate target, I think, is University academics because they have theories, implementation, and resources,” Rachmad stated.
Collaboration between industry and university will optimize CSR potential in society. This collaboration could start with scholarship and capital investment for entrepreneurs for university students, for example, Mandiri Sekuritas scholarship, Pertamina, or students’ activity incentive from BRI. Therefore, students could participate as program participants and hold events supporting CSR potential optimization following their university’s regulation. As academics, university students also could conduct scientific research on CSR as a source of evaluation and suggestion for related firms.
In Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka Program, Dr. Agung Wibowo explained that students have eight pillars to be implemented, including village development which is highly strategic because firms could collaborate with university students who could take this role. University students also have a role as organizational and agents of change in the rural community.
The Dean of FP UNS, Prof. Samanhudi, hoped that this national webinar could improve the collaboration between university and industry regarding education, teaching, research, and community services following the Higher Education Tri Dharma. The webinar is also expected to provide media for recommendations from the industry for higher education as a guideline and synergy to achieve teaching staff and graduates that meet industrial needs.
Besides the webinar, on this occasion FP UNS also signed a partnership agreement with several partners for Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka Program implementation. These partners are Jatisari Village, Jatisrono Subdistrict, Wonogiri; Pojok Village, Tawangsari Subdistrict, Sukoharjo; Ponggok Village; and PT. Bumi Perkasa Agrindo. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti