Surabaya, Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – In the spirit of realizing an inclusive economy and maintaining healthy business competition, students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) together with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Regional Office IV successfully held a Community Service (Pengmas) entitled "Caring for Micro and Small Businesses: Community Empowerment Vol. 2" from early July to early August. This program was implemented in Surabaya with the strategic target of MSEs and high school students, in order to build a fair and sustainable economic ecosystem.

FEB UNAIR Community Service and KPPU collaborated with the Gubeng Airlangga MSME Care Team, consisting of Caroline Evelyn Hamjaya and Tarisa Namirah from the FEB UNAIR Economics Study Program. This team assisted six MSME partners in Surabaya—Pandan Green Tea, Mbok Nyok Grilled Chicken, Yum Pucok Avocado Shake, Belvis Kitchen, Jekuy Juicy Orange, and Warung Resfita. The focus of the assistance included visual branding, from menu design and product labels to the creation of QRIS stands as a modern means of transaction.

For MSEs, this mentoring is crucial for presenting a more professional business identity. "I've just realized that product appearance significantly influences consumer interest. Thank you to the UNAIR Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) students and the KPPU (Commission for the Promotion of Food and Beverages) for helping us update our menu and product labels," said Ms. Cici, one of the MSEs.

Not only MSEs, this program also targets the younger generation through a socialization themed "Building an Ethical and Inclusive Economic Future" at Ta'miriyah High School Surabaya. This session introduced the role of the KPPU in maintaining healthy business competition while introducing FEB UNAIR to students. Information covered study programs, admission paths, scholarship opportunities, and campus life. Student mentors also shared their college experiences, motivating students to be better prepared to continue their higher education. "Studying economics turns out to be very close to everyday life. I also learned that the KPPU protects business actors and the community," said Putri, an 11th grade student.

This program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): Increasing the economic capacity of Surabaya's MSMEs.
2. SDG 4 (Quality Education): Provide economic literacy and motivation to continue higher education for high school students.
3. SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth): Helping MSEs upgrade through branding and digitalization.
4. SDG 17 (Partnerships to Achieve the Goals): Strengthening synergies between universities and state institutions.

According to Caroline Evelyn, Head of the Gubeng Airlangga UMK Care Team, this program is a tangible demonstration of higher education's contribution to society. "UMKs receive practical branding support, high school students gain insight and motivation to continue their education, and the collaboration with the KPPU strengthens education on fair business competition," she said.

The program's impact is widespread: Surabaya's MSEs are now more professional and ready to compete in the modern marketplace, high school students have economic literacy and a glimpse into the world of college, and the relationship between universities, the KPPU (Commission for the Procurement of Women's Empowerment), and the community is strengthening. Interestingly, all of these community service activities are independently funded by students, demonstrating a real commitment to building an inclusive economy and maintaining healthy business competition in Indonesia.