UNS — The creative economy activities in Central Java that were once hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic has started to show a sign of recovery. Responding to this process, the Directorate of Innovation and Downstreaming Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta took the initiative to hold the UNS Innovation Festival in G.P.H. Haryo Mataram Auditorium UNS and The Royal Surakarta Heritage and online on the UNS YouTube channel.
UNS Innovation Festival held on 10-14 December 2021 wants to assist creative economy entrepreneurs in recovering and developing their business after the pandemic. The Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Affairs (WR III) UNS, Prof. Dr. Kuncoro Diharjo, S.T., M.T, attended the opening ceremony and hoped that UNS Innovation Festival could provide a place for UNS students to learn.
“We offer our utmost gratitude to all MSMEs, ministries, and associations involved (in this festival) so that our students have the opportunity to learn directly from the field with a hope that our students could be adaptable to the rapid changes after they are graduating,” Prof. Kuncoro stated.
In holding the five-day event, UNS collaborated with four ministries: Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf); Ministry of Trade (Kemendag); Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos); and Kedaireka Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). UNS also collaborated with Indonesia Direct and the Association of Industry, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Indonesia (AKUMANDIRI).
Chairman of UNS Innovation Festival Managing Committee, Bib Husein Assegaf, stated that this event has diverse activities including workshop, seminar, and matching fund. He added that there are four MSMEs that stick a deal with Australian buyers, and more MSMEs will participate in the matching fund. He hoped that a similar event could be held next year to provide more opportunities for business actors in developing their business.
“Hopefully, this event does not stop here. We hope that this event could be a routine end-year event to encourage not only MSMEs but we also hope this could encourage students to be more innovative. The products are great. It could be promoted to the global market,” he added.
More than 100 entrepreneurs from various sectors exhibit their ideas and products at the event. In total, 90 MSMEs in Solo Raya, around 30 innovation products, and 35 startups from UNS were exhibited at the festival.
The Chairman of AKUMANDIRI, Mintorogo, stated that his association is delighted with this event because it gave fresh opportunities for those who have struggled in maintaining their business amid the pandemic. He hoped this event could be held again next year.
“Our hope (is) how the new breakthroughs and collaborations from the government, business, and academia could be synergized and collaborate. We hope it could be held again next year, not stopping here, but more events for products to be marketed globally,” Mintorogo stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti