The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Airlangga in collaboration with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), successfully implemented the "Peduli UMK Volume 2" impactful campus program, from July to August 2025. This program invited students to directly mentor business owners. This mentoring aimed to help them upgrade and improve their businesses in a modern, professional, and competitive manner.
One of the teams provided mentoring in Toga Village, Sumedang. The team consisted of Lilyasari Dwi Septa Utama (Management-2024) as the chair and Alfia Rahmayanti (Economics-2024) as a member. They mentored six MSEs: Warung Jajan, Sempol Ayam Mirasa, Vermicelli Telur Gulung, Cilung, Susu Murni, and Batagor Siomay. Before the program, most MSEs were still running simple businesses without branding, minimal promotion, outdated production equipment, and disorganized financial records, so they needed to be encouraged to move up a class.
The initial phase of mentoring began with direct observation and interviews with MSEs. The team identified issues including a lack of promotional media, the absence of banners or packaging, unhygienic production equipment, and the absence of daily financial records. These findings formed the basis for developing a tailored action plan to help MSEs upgrade according to the needs of each business.
Steps taken include creating social media accounts, designing and installing new banners, creating QRIS (Quick Response Recognition System), printing menus, and replacing outdated production equipment. Additionally, beverage businesses like Pure Milk have developed waterproof vinyl packaging stickers, while food products like Mirasa Chicken Sempol have been provided with more presentable plastic containers. All of these updates aim to make MSEs appear more professional and elevate their standing in the eyes of consumers.
MSMEs were also asked to complete a pre-test conducted by the KPPU (Commission for the Public Prosecution Service) to assess their understanding of Law No. 5 of 1999 concerning the prohibition of monopolistic practices, the principles of healthy partnerships, and the challenges faced in business. Data from this pre-test helped the KPPU assess the extent of business actors' knowledge and determine appropriate materials for outreach. This activity also served as a first step for MSMEs to understand the importance of healthy business competition in the process of upgrading.
The team also provided education on simple yet effective daily financial record-keeping. Each MSE received a financial notebook containing tables for recording dates, transaction details, income, business expenses, personal expenses, profit withdrawals, and the final balance. With this system, MSEs can control cash flow, separate personal and business finances, and plan business development to continuously improve.
Beyond business mentoring, the team also conducted a socialization session at SMA IT Insan Sejahtera, attended by 130 students. The session introduced the KPPU (Commission for the Public Investigative Commission), its role in maintaining business competition, and recognized FEB UNAIR as a campus actively contributing to the community. This initiative inspired young people in Sumedang to develop their own businesses and advance to the next level at an early age.
The program's results are tangible. MSMEs' carts and packaging have become more attractive, production processes are more hygienic, financial records have begun to improve, and online promotions through Instagram are active, with a growing number of followers. Several MSMEs now accept cashless payments through QRIS, expanding their market reach and truly elevating their businesses.
MSEs expressed satisfaction and support from this program. They appreciated the efforts of the UNAIR Faculty of Economics and Business students and the support of the KPPU, which not only provided technical solutions but also motivated them to continue developing. Their gratitude demonstrates the effectiveness of this type of mentoring in encouraging MSEs to advance.
This program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which encourages increased productivity and business competitiveness through mentoring of MSEs. The positive impact is felt by all parties: MSEs experience improved business quality, students gain valuable field experience, the community experiences better local economic turnover, FEB UNAIR strengthens its role as an influential campus, and KPPU has succeeded in expanding education on fair business competition. This success is expected to inspire the empowerment of MSEs throughout Indonesia to continue to move up in class and be globally competitive.