(KOPSI NEWS) May 16, 2025 — The seminar entitled “ Millennial Cooperative: Shaping the Future of Collaboration and Innovation” was successfully held by the Student Cooperative Study Group (KOPSI) FEB Universitas Airlangga on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Cendrawasih Hall, Medang Building, 3rd Floor. The activity, which started at 09.00 to 11.30 WIB, was greeted with high enthusiasm from the participants, especially students, who are the main target of cooperative education for the current generation.

Building Cooperatives That Generation Z Loves

The main focus of the seminar was to answer a crucial question: how to build a cooperative that is attractive to the younger generation, especially Gen Z? Amidst the trend of declining interest in cooperatives among the younger generation, which are often considered rigid and old-fashioned, this seminar presented two competent speakers in the fields of economics and cooperatives, namely Ms. Atik Purmiyati, SE, M.Si., Ph.D., and Mr. Dr. H. Asep Mulyana, SE, MCE.

In her presentation, Ms. Atik Purmiyati highlighted the importance of rebranding cooperatives so they are no longer perceived as an old, inflexible system. She stated that cooperatives must have a new image that better aligns with the characteristics of the younger generation, who are dynamic, creative, and adaptable to change. She also emphasized the need for a digital approach to make cooperatives more accessible and useful to students, making them part of a collaborative campus lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Dr. Asep Mulyana emphasized the importance of innovation in cooperative business models. He stated that today's cooperatives must be able to adapt to technological developments and market needs. Collaborative strategies among members and the use of digital platforms are key to creating cooperatives that are not only relevant but also competitive in the modern era. He added that cooperatives can be a space for the growth of sustainability-oriented social entrepreneurship.

Contribution to SDGs: Education and Economic Growth

This seminar not only impacted participants' insights but also contributed directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, this seminar supported SDG 4: Quality Education , as it served as a crucial educational platform for students to understand cooperatives as a relevant and sustainable collaborative economic model. Topics such as rebranding , digitalization, and cooperative innovation broadened participants' insights into the potential of cooperatives as an alternative economic force amidst the dominance of the private sector and the digital economy.

Second, this seminar aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth , as it encourages young people to become not only job seekers but also job creators through cooperatives. By presenting cooperatives as entities capable of meeting the needs of the times, this activity indirectly reduces the risk of educated unemployment and strengthens the collective economic pillars among students.

Towards a More Innovative and Inclusive Cooperative Ecosystem

The diverse discussions and exchange of ideas during the seminar provided a platform for reflection and inspiration for the participants. One participant stated that the seminar opened his mind to the potential of cooperatives, which had previously seemed underdeveloped. "I realized that cooperatives can be a safe, fair, and future-proof entrepreneurial alternative," he said.

For the committee, this seminar also served as a learning platform for leadership, event management, and the strengthening of the values ​​of mutual cooperation—values ​​that are the very essence of cooperatives. With a fresher, digital, and collaborative approach, cooperatives can rediscover their place in the hearts of the younger generation. This seminar is expected to be the first step in creating an inclusive, sustainable, and participatory cooperative ecosystem.