Sidoarjo, Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Sidoarjo region are now receiving serious attention through a mentoring program conducted by students of the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) in collaboration with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Regional Office IV Surabaya. This program aims to improve human resource competency and innovation among MSMEs in Sidoarjo so they can face increasingly fierce business competition in the digital era. This activity will last for more than a month, specifically from July 3 to August 7, 2025.
The Sidoarjo MSE mentoring program was implemented by a team of 2023 students from the Management Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Airlangga University (FEB UNAIR). The student team went directly into the field to mentor Sidoarjo MSEs, starting with in-depth interviews and observations to understand the needs and challenges of each business owner.
In this mentoring program for Sidoarjo's MSEs, a team of FEB UNAIR students provided various practical solutions tailored to their needs. The program's primary focus is strengthening human resource competencies, encompassing financial management, digital marketing strategies, branding, and product design. By honing these competencies, Sidoarjo's MSEs are expected to develop human resource innovations that align with current market trends and consumer needs.
Collaboration with the KPPU Regional Office IV Surabaya provides significant added value to this mentoring program. In addition to equipping Sidoarjo MSEs with technical skills, the KPPU also provides education on the importance of healthy business competition and business ethics. This aims to ensure that Sidoarjo MSEs are not only able to grow their businesses but also operate in accordance with applicable regulations, thus creating a fair and competitive business climate.
The assistance provided included the creation of Excel-based financial report templates for MSEs like Bitha Fish to enable them to maintain neat financial records. MSEs like KIMII and Radish Collection were provided with promotional strategies through social media to expand their market. Yoiku was assisted in creating a professional product catalog and company profile. Meanwhile, MSEs Tan Sembako, Bokir, and Bakso Gepeng received assistance in creating branding banners, and Lee Choir and Favme focused on strengthening their branding and visual identity. Meanwhile, Trisip, Tibi Tea, and Jamu Deefay received assistance in improving product design.
"Some Sidoarjo MSEs still face challenges in financial record-keeping and digital marketing. Through this program, we provide practical solutions such as financial templates and promotional designs to help MSEs manage their businesses more professionally. Our mentoring is direct and ongoing to ensure their human resource competencies are truly enhanced," explained Aditya Pangestu, a member of the implementation team.
In addition to providing direct assistance to Sidoarjo's MSMEs, the UNAIR Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) student team also conducted outreach activities at SMAN 2 and SMAN 9 Surabaya. The outreach aimed to introduce the students to the roles of FEB UNAIR and the KPPU and provide insights into healthy business competition, business ethics, and their impact on the national economy.
According to Muhammad Daffa Argawa, the Sidoarjo MSE mentoring program not only benefits business owners but also provides valuable experience for students. "We learned a lot about how to apply the management knowledge we gained on campus to the real business world. Each MSE faces unique challenges, so we must be flexible and creative in providing solutions," he said.
This UMK mentoring program provides valuable practical experience for FEB UNAIR students. They develop analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills directly in a real-world business context. This experience prepares FEB UNAIR students to become competent professionals ready to face the challenges of the business industry.
It is hoped that this mentoring model can continue to be developed and replicated in other regions to strengthen the national MSE sector. Synergy between universities, government institutions, and businesses has proven effective in driving inclusive and sustainable economic progress.