Conditions For Advanced Indonesia, MenCopUKM Teten Masduki: Must Develop Entrepreneurs And Research

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (MenKopUKM) Teten Masduki said that the condition for Indonesia to become a developed country is to develop its entrepreneurial and research base. This is because the high civilization of developed countries in the world is based on entrepreneurship and research.

This was conveyed by Teten in a Public Lecture and Entrepreneurship Dialogue at the Bumiayu Civilization University Campus, Brebes Regency, Central Java, Saturday, June 4.

"Therefore, it is hoped that research produced by universities should be commercialized at the downstream level," he said in an official statement, quoted on Sunday, June 5.

Moreover, said Teten, a survey stated that more than 70 percent of young people prefer to be businessmen rather than employees.

"In fact, by 2045, it is predicted that according to scientific research, Indonesia will become the four major countries in the world, along with the US, China and India," he said.

Therefore, said MenKopUKM, it is the right step if the Bumiayu Civilization University implements a campus based on entrepreneurs and research.

"So, being able to give birth to young, well-established entrepreneurs from the campus world," he explained.

Not only that, said Teten, there are several other conditions that must be met if Indonesia wants to become a developed country. First, the development of the quality of human resources (HR). Where all universities in Indonesia must have international standards.

"We should not be left behind in terms of research in all sectors. And I hope students use smart phones to access as much knowledge as possible in the internet world," he said.

Second, the development of infrastructure that connects regions and islands easily and quickly. Including internet infrastructure. Then, the minimum entrepreneurship ratio must be at the level of 4 percent, while Indonesia is still at the level of 3.18 percent. While Singapore is already 8.6 percent, Malaysia and Thailand are already above 5 percent. Then the US and France are already in the range of 10-12 percent.

"We have rolled out various entrepreneurship programs with the target of creating 1 million new, young, and established entrepreneurs. One of them is through the incubation program on campuses," said Minister Teten.

Furthermore, Teten said, KemenkopUKM also invites all campuses in Indonesia to prepare graduates to become entrepreneurs, not employees. The trick is to change the mindset of students, from job seekers to job creators.

"That way, the entrepreneurship ratio target of 4 percent can be achieved," he explained.

Minister Teten asked that the quality of business incubators on campuses, including UPB, be continuously improved. In fact, business incubators on campus must be connected to sources of financing. One of them, through campus or student cooperatives.

Not only that, MenKopUKM also invites young entrepreneurs to enter the digital ecosystem. "Starting to seriously work on the business with a clear business model so that many investors will look at it," he said.

On the same occasion, Member of Commission VI DPR RI Siti Mukaromah also hopes and believes that more reliable young entrepreneurs will be born from the UPB Campus.

"I will continue to assist the development of MSMEs and Work Training Centers (BLK), especially in the Banyumas to Cilacap areas," said Mukaromah.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the University of Bumiayu Civilization Muhammad Kadarisman explained that the campus which was founded by the former Minister of Education and Culture Yahya Muhaimin in 2014 was determined to become an Entrepreneur Based University until 2030.

"We will combine it with based research," said Kadarisman.

Currently, Kadarisman continued, his party has 15 assisted SMEs in Brebes, Purwokerto, and Purbalingga. "We will encourage them to be more productive with quality up to the national level," he said.

To strengthen the development of MSMEs, UPB already has a cooperative. Furthermore, it will establish a Student Cooperative as a forum for students to know and become entrepreneurs. "The MoU with KemenKopUKM aims to further improve training and empowerment of entrepreneurship in the campus environment," said Kadarisman.