(Kopsi News) May 16, 2025 - Seminar titled " Millennial Cooperative: Shaping the Future of Collaboration and Innovation" was successfully organized by the Student Cooperative Study Group (Kopsi) FEB Universitas Airlangga on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Cendrawasih Hall, Medang Lt. Building Lt. 3. The activity, which began at 09.00 to 11:30 WIB, was welcomed with high enthusiasm from participants, especially among students, who were the main targets of the current generation of cooperative education.
Building cooperatives that are in demand by generation Z
The main focus of the seminar is to answer crucial questions: how to build cooperatives that are in demand by the younger generation, especially Gen Z? In the midst of the trend of declining interest in the younger generation of cooperatives that are often considered rigid and ancient, this seminar presents two resource persons who are competent in the economic and cooperatives, namely Ms. Atik Purmiyati, SE, M.Si., Ph.D., and Mr. Dr. H. Asep Mulyana, SE, MCE
In his presentation, Ms. Atik Purmiyati highlighted the importance of rebranding so that it would no longer be seen as an older -long system that was not flexible. He stated that cooperatives must have a new face that is more in line with the characteristics of the younger generation who are dynamic, creative, and adaptive to change. He also stressed the need for a digital approach so that cooperatives can be accessed and utilized more easily by students, making it part of a collaborative campus lifestyle.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dr. Asep Mulyana stressed the importance of innovation in the cooperative business model. According to him, today's cooperatives must be able to adjust to the development of technology and market needs. Collaborative strategies between members and the use of digital platforms are the key to creating cooperatives that are not only relevant, but also competitive in the modern era. He added that cooperatives could be a space for the growth of social entrepreneurship oriented towards sustainability.
Contribution to SDGs: Education and Economic Growth
This seminar not only had an impact on increasing participants' insights, but also contributed directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, this seminar supports SDG 4: Quality Education , because it becomes an important educational space for students to understand cooperatives as relevant and sustainable collaborative economic models. Materials such as rebranding , digitalization, and cooperative innovation broaden the participants' insights regarding the potential of cooperatives as an alternative economic force amid the dominance of the private sector and digital economy.
Secondly, this seminar is in line with SDG 8: Dent Work and Economic Growth , because it encourages the younger generation to not only become a job seeker, but also the creator of employment opportunities through cooperatives. By presenting cooperatives as an entity that is able to answer the needs of the times, this activity indirectly reduces the risk of educated unemployment and strengthening the pillars of collective economics among students.
Towards a more innovative and inclusive cooperative ecosystem
Various discussions and exchanges of ideas in this seminar became a reflection and inspiration for the participants. One of the participants said that this seminar opened his mind to the potential of cooperatives that had been impressed lagging. "I am aware that cooperatives can be an alternative entrepreneur that is safe, fair, and has a future," he said.
For the committee, this seminar is also a place for leadership learning, event management, and strengthening the value of mutual cooperation - the value that actually becomes the spirit of the cooperative itself. With a fresher, digital, and collaborative approach, cooperatives can again find its 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.
