Pict Source: inilah.com
Every August 12, attention turns once again to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), a sector that grows across various aspects of people’s lives. From home-based businesses and small shops to technology-driven startups, MSMEs play an important role in Indonesia’s economic landscape.
The date is commemorated as National MSME Day. The observance also coincides with the birth anniversary of Mohammad Hatta, a prominent Indonesian figure whose ideas emphasized the importance of strengthening the people’s economy. The occasion serves as a reminder that economic growth is built not only by large-scale corporations, but also by individuals who establish businesses, create jobs, and provide products and services that meet people’s needs.
Amid economic changes and technological developments, MSMEs face increasingly diverse challenges. Business owners are expected not only to survive but also to innovate, understand market trends, leverage technology, and build broader competitiveness. Therefore, fostering future drivers of the economy should not begin only when individuals enter the business world. It can start from higher education.
For Universitas Tarumanagara (Untar), entrepreneurship education is part of its efforts to prepare students to face these challenges. The values of Integrity, Professionalism, and Entrepreneurship (IPE), which serve as Untar’s core values, provide a foundation for developing students who possess not only academic competence but also the courage to create opportunities and generate value for society.
The entrepreneurial spirit at Untar goes beyond understanding how to establish a business. Students are encouraged to view challenges around them as opportunities to develop ideas, innovations, and solutions. In this way, entrepreneurship becomes part of the learning process, fostering independence while strengthening students’ awareness of societal needs.
The university serves as a space for students to test and develop these ideas. Through academic learning, entrepreneurship activities, creative development, and various experiences beyond the classroom, students can gain insight into the process of building a business while understanding the challenges faced by MSME entrepreneurs.
Through this process, Untar students are expected not only to become job seekers after completing their education but also to become job creators. Ideas and businesses that emerge from the university environment can grow into tangible contributions to society and the Indonesian economy.
Ultimately, strengthening MSMEs is not merely about sustaining small businesses. It is also about building an economic ecosystem that provides space for innovation, independence, and competitiveness. This process can begin with students’ knowledge, creativity, and willingness to take initiative. When these qualities meet the needs of society, growth opportunities can emerge.
Untar continues to foster this spirit so that education extends beyond academic achievement and produces a generation capable of creating value, opening opportunities, and contributing to Indonesia’s economic growth.
Happy National MSME Day 2026! (CJ/YS)