BANDUNG, Telkom University – The National Movement for Mental Revolution (GNRM) team at Telkom University (Tel-U) held the Digital-Preneur Sukses Mandiri Program (DIGI-SM) for 50 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bandung Regency. This activity is a Penta helix collaboration between academics (Tel-U), government (Disperindag), industry & society (MSME actors), community (Bandung Regency Karsa Mandiri Entrepreneurs Association), and the media.
Rector of Telkom University, Prof. Dr. Adiwijaya, said the program was part of the GNRM program launched by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) in collaboration with the Indonesian Rector Forum. The Tel-U GNRM program emphasizes digitizing MSMEs, where MSMEs are equipped with an understanding of digital people, digital marketing, digital finance, and digital business.
“There are 50 MSMEs, of course, with various products. Bandung Regency has 15,000 MSMEs. However, we first captured the pilot project for 50 (MSMEs). It will not stop as just today’s program,” said Adiwijaya at the DIGI-SM training press conference. The event was held for three days (Tuesday-Thursday (13-15/9)) at Telkom University.
According to Adiwijaya, the Digi-SM Program is in line with the big theme of the 2022 GNRM, “Rise Post Pandemic,” and the direction of Telkom University Community Service activities in establishing a digital society and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a global action plan agreed upon by world leaders, including Indonesia, to end poverty, reduce inequality and protect the environment.
Adiwijaya said that MSME players studied social media use and were expected to have a market in cyberspace. “So, for example, access to social media usually already exists like that, but furthermore, how to analyze social media. For example, those who access the MSMEs, who provide comments are in which area, “added Adiwijaya.
According to Adiwijaya, business actors can increase competitiveness by learning how to understand the customer experience in data. “Like that, the follow-up will be taught as well, so that they can continue to develop, not only selling these products in the local area but more broadly,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Department of Trade and Industry (Disperindag) of Bandung Regency, Dicky Anugrah, said that MSME actors needed something to be facilitated. Then the issue of regulation remains empowered. “Then, there is an increase in regional competitiveness by increasing the quality of its MSME production, starting from the aspect of labeling, certification, legality, and marketing. Of course, in this digital era, the digitization of entrepreneurs is very much needed by MSME actors.
Dicky claims that his party has accommodated the needs of MSME actors. Among them is the digitalization of MSME management. “So, thank God, it is indeed to increase competitiveness. We hope that everything is in synergy. What we MSME actors want, of course, we will realize gradually,” he said.
The Karsa Mandiri Entrepreneurs Association chairman, Danny, said the digitalization training could help SMEs in Bandung Regency. Moreover, some facilities were directly assisted by the Disperdagin of Bandung Regency. “We, the MSME players, have been greatly helped by this digitalization training. Especially in terms of various kinds of facilities,” he said.
“There are ID cards for business actors called the NIB (business parent number). It is facilitated free of charge. Then IPR is also facilitated free of charge by Disperdagin. Halal certification is also the same, then all equipment for us to sell, or upgrading from traders can be facilitated by Disperdagin,” he added.
He added that during the COVID-19 pandemic, MSME players had problems selling offline. So, according to him, at this time, digitalization training is needed. “Speaking of digital, especially yesterday we experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, offline sales are minimal. Then we need complete knowledge of what the digital world is like.”