Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia Establishes Partnership with APINDO for the MSME Merdeka Internship Program
Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia (UTI), recognized as one of the leading private universities in ASEAN, is one of the higher education institutions in Lampung selected as a partner for the Merdeka MSME Internship Program initiated by the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) Lampung.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rector of Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, Dr. HM. Nasrullah Yusuf, S.E., M.B.A., and the Chairman of APINDO Lampung, Ary Meizari Alfian, S.E., M.B.A. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Syamsurizal Ari, Head of the Lampung Provincial Office of Cooperatives and MSMEs, and took place at the Dr. Nasrullah Yusuf Student Center.
The MoU signing also involved APINDO Lampung and several private universities in Lampung under the coordination of the Higher Education Service Institution (LLDikti) Region II for Southern Sumatra (Sumbagsel), as part of Batch 3 of the program.
Representing Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi, the Head of the Provincial Office of Cooperatives and SMEs, Samsurizal, expressed his appreciation to APINDO Lampung and LLDikti Region II for organizing the Merdeka MSME Internship Program.
“We strongly support efforts to facilitate the implementation of the Merdeka MSME Internship Program,” he stated.
He further explained that student involvement would contribute to the growth of local MSMEs. Students can apply their academic knowledge and strategic skills to help increase MSME revenues while supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen and advance the MSME sector.
The Rector of Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, Dr. HM. Nasrullah Yusuf, S.E., M.B.A., welcomed the initiative launched by APINDO Lampung. According to him, the program can motivate students not only to seek employment after graduation but also to become entrepreneurs and create new job opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of APINDO Lampung, Ary Meizari Alfian, S.E., M.B.A., explained that the Merdeka MSME Program is similar to, yet distinct from, the government’s Merdeka Campus initiative.
“This program is an initiative of APINDO Lampung in response to challenges in Indonesia. One of the main issues is that university graduates are not always adequately prepared for the workforce because they struggle to apply their academic knowledge in professional settings,” Ary explained.
Through this program, students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and competencies they have acquired during their studies to support the development of MSMEs.
Prof. Dr. Iskhak Iskandar, M.Sc., Head of LLDikti Region II for Southern Sumatra, explained that the Merdeka MSME Program is one of the activities under the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative in LLDikti Region II. The program aims to equip students with practical learning experiences, enabling them to analyze real-world problems and develop solutions through science, technology, and innovation.
In addition to encouraging MSMEs to play a greater role in strengthening the economy, particularly in Sumatra and regions outside Java, the program seeks to revitalize MSME management by combining academic knowledge and technological expertise from universities with the practical experience of MSME businesses.
He expressed confidence that this collaboration would strengthen both parties and help prepare a highly skilled and competitive workforce to contribute to regional and national development, particularly in Sumatra.
Overview of the Merdeka MSME Internship Program
Prof. Dr. Iskhak Iskandar added that the internship program aligns with the concept promoted by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology through the MBKM initiative.
“Over the next semester, students will have the opportunity to learn how to develop and advance MSMEs by applying the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their university studies,” he explained.
Representing Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi, the Head of the Provincial Office of Cooperatives and SMEs, Samsurizal, reiterated his appreciation to APINDO Lampung and LLDikti Region II for facilitating the program.
“We strongly support efforts to facilitate the Merdeka MSME Internship Program,” he stated.
He emphasized that student participation would help local MSMEs grow by applying students’ knowledge and strategic capabilities to increase business revenues and support the development of stronger, more competitive MSMEs.
