UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the Republic of Indonesia, located in the UNS G.P.H. Haryo Mataram Auditorium Building, Wednesday (18/5/2022) noon. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was carried out by the Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation (Risnov) UNS, Prof. Kuncoro Diharjo, and Deputy for Investment Cooperation of the Ministry of Investment/BKPM RI, Riyatno, witnessed by the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM RI, Bahlil Lahadalia. Also present at the ceremony were the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and the Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs (UNS), Prof. H. Ahmad Yunus
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed to strengthen the investment’s role and contribution to enhancing competitiveness and promoting the growth of the national economy. Meanwhile, the agreed scope includes education and training, joint research and studies related to planning, investment policies, and regulations, as well as ease of business and joint seminars and publications. The Memorandum of Understanding also agreed to provide support to the micro, small, and medium businesses (MSMEs) and start-ups established by UNS academic community and UNS MSMEs/start-ups partners.
In response to the collaboration established with the Ministry of Investment/BKPM RI, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, expressed his gratitude and feeling grateful for the partnership established. He hopes that the Memorandum of Understanding that has been signed will provide many benefits for UNS, especially in developing businesses established by students, thus, promoting the accomplishment of UNS’s objective to be an entrepreneur university. “Thank you, Mr. Bahlil and all the ranks of the Ministry of Investment/BKPM RI for visiting UNS,” said Prof. Jamal.
Message from Prof. Jamal.
In his virtual remarks, Prof. Jamal said that MSMEs play a crucial role in the national economy because they contribute to absorbing 97 percent of the workforce. “MSMEs also account for 60 percent of national gross domestic income (GDP), contributing 58 percent of total investment, and 14 percent of total national exports,” he explained.
Other than MSMEs, Prof. Jamal also mentioned start-ups business’ remarkable potential growth, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is considered to have a significant impact on the national economy. From these two fields, Prof. Jamal then emphasized the importance of joint efforts to accelerate business, especially in developing business and marketing capacity. One of the probable options is to optimize the role of digitization in several aspects of business, including marketing, finance, and operations. “The opportunities for the development of MSMEs and start-ups are still wide open. The digital economic growth momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic for Indonesian digital investment is a valuable momentum and must be developed especially for the younger generation,” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: YCA Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti