UMKM Expo 2026: Synergy Between UNU Jogja and BTPN Syariah to Help MSMEs Level Up

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain a key pillar of Indonesia’s economy. In 2025, their number was estimated to reach around 65 million units, contributing approximately 61.9 percent to the national gross domestic product.

The vital role of MSMEs is also integrated into learning activities through the General Course Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), which provides students with real entrepreneurial experience.

As the culmination of the course, UNU Jogja in collaboration with BTPN Syariah held the “UMKM Expo 2026” at the Integrated Campus on Thursday (January 5, 2026). Featuring hundreds of MSMEs from various business sectors, the event aimed to help MSMEs “move up a class” through academic mentoring by lecturers and students.

In her remarks, the Vice Rector for Industry Collaboration and Creative Funding at UNU Jogja, Ian Agisti Dewi Rani, stated that UMKM Expo 2026 reflects the active involvement of the UNU Jogja academic community, especially students, in empowering MSMEs.

“This activity is not merely a class assignment, but part of their role as agents of change. Students have demonstrated real contributions in assisting MSMEs and creating an impact on the community’s economy,” she said.

A total of 520 first-semester students, divided into mentoring groups, accompanied 106 MSMEs throughout one semester. Of these, 51 MSMEs were selected to participate in the UMKM Expo on the UNU Jogja campus. The mentoring process was also supported by 11 lecturers.

UNU Jogja’s tangible efforts as a university in Yogyakarta to support community economic growth also received backing from a banking partner, BTPN Syariah. The small business owners involved in the program are also customers of BTPN Syariah.

President Commissioner of Bank BTPN Syariah, Kemal Azis Stamboel, expressed appreciation for UMKM Expo 2026, noting that it provides academic support and mentoring to address the real challenges faced by MSME players in the field.

“The synergy between UNU Jogja and BTPN Syariah in empowering MSMEs through project-based learning is a pilot project that can be scaled up because it delivers real impact,” he stated.

Director of Employability at UNU Jogja, Nurhadi, added that in this program, students mentored MSMEs using systematic and modern approaches, including design thinking, agile execution, and digital marketing.

“Through digital marketing, we focus on opening digital market access for MSMEs that previously had little or no online promotion, enabling them to reach a wider market in the future,” he explained.

With these strategies, student mentoring groups competed to increase sales for their partner MSMEs. As a result, within just a few hours during the event, MSME turnover reached IDR 18.7 million.

As a form of appreciation, UNU Jogja and BTPN Syariah awarded prizes totaling IDR 19 million to the best student mentoring teams. The winners were:

Best of The Best: Class 2 Group 7 – Ayam Geprek Asni Marteri
1st Place: Class 8 Group 6 – Lotek Dwi Sukarni
2nd Place: Class 6 Group 8 – Ayam Bu Rose
3rd Place: Class 2 Group 6 – Donat Anggi Pradita

Groups with the Highest Turnover During UMKM Expo:
Class 7 – Group 10 (Nala Lhamo) – IDR 3,366,512
Class 7 – Group 2 (Bangkitch – Pempek Bu Nurning) – IDR 2,277,250
Class 11 – Group 6 (Es Sedot Segar) – IDR 1,068,479
Class 6 – Group 5 (Batik Bunda – Mrs. Agustin) – IDR 1,015,000
Class 6 – Group 1 (Peyek Mas Bagas) – IDR 810,020
[Arif]