UNU Jogja Deploys Cross-Disciplinary Faculty Members to Mentor MSMEs through LAZISNU DIY Business Incubation Program

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Nahdlatul Ulama University of Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) is collaborating with LAZISNU Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) to strengthen the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through the LAZISNU DIY Business Incubation Program 2026/2027. The collaboration is realized through the involvement of UNU Jogja lecturers who serve as mentors, helping MSMEs develop sustainable business practices.

The program was officially launched during the Kick-Off of the LAZISNU DIY Business Incubation Program 2026/2027, held at the DPD RI Building in Yogyakarta on Sunday, July 12. It marks the beginning of a six- to eight-month mentoring program for 66 selected MSMEs across the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

As one of the university partners, UNU Jogja has deployed lecturers from various academic programs to mentor participating MSMEs according to their respective fields of expertise. The mentoring team includes Zulfatun Ruscitasari, S.E., M.Acc. and Gigih Aulia Hilmiawan, S.E., M.Si.Ak. from the Accounting Study Program; Nurul Salehawati, S.P., M.Sc. from the Agribusiness Study Program; Restiadi Bayu Taruno, S.T., M.Eng. from the Informatics Study Program; Ahmad Hujaj Nurrohim, Lc., M.A. from the Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies Program together with Anik Puji Handayani, S.E., M.Si. from the Accounting Study Program; Novi Diah Wulandari, S.E., M.M. and Nurna Pratiwi, S.E., M.Si.Ak. from the Management Study Program; and Subekti Hartiningsih, S.TP., M.Sc. and Sukamto, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. from the Food Technology Study Program. Through this initiative, the lecturers provide technical assistance based on their academic expertise to help MSMEs strengthen their business capacity and competitiveness.

Chairman of the PWNU DIY Executive Board, KH. Ahmad Zuhdi Muhdlor, S.H., M.Hum., emphasized that the success of community empowerment programs depends greatly on the quality of their mentors. He also noted that economic empowerment has been a core spirit of Nahdlatul Ulama since its early days through the Nahdlatut Tujar movement, making continuous support for MSMEs essential.

Meanwhile, Dini Fitri Rajeng Pangesti, Chairperson of LAZISNU DIY, explained that the incubation program adopts a productive zakat approach through intensive mentoring. Business capital is distributed in stages and accompanied by continuous monitoring to ensure that the assistance is utilized effectively and contributes to sustainable business growth.

Support for MSME development was also highlighted by Yustin Damayanti from the Regional Committee for Sharia Economy and Finance (KDEKS) of Yogyakarta. She stressed the importance of business legality, including obtaining a Business Identification Number (NIB), selecting the appropriate Indonesian Standard Business Classification (KBLI), and securing halal certification to enhance business competitiveness.

In another session, H. Awaluddin Setyaji, Treasurer of PCNU Magelang, shared best practices in developing the NU business ecosystem through professional governance, digital transformation, and active youth involvement. His experience is expected to inspire participating MSMEs in building sustainable and resilient businesses.

Representing UNU Jogja, Zulfatun Ruscitasari, S.E., M.Acc., a lecturer from the Accounting Study Program, stated that the university's participation in the LAZISNU DIY Business Incubation Program reflects the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi) through community engagement that delivers practical solutions.

"The launch of the LAZISNU Business Incubation Program marks a new chapter in the transformative utilization of zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and waqf (ZISWAF) through a proactive outreach strategy for grassroots entrepreneurs. The collaboration between the academic community of Nahdlatul Ulama University of Yogyakarta and LAZISNU represents the downstream implementation of higher education's Three Pillars into practical solutions for society," she said.

According to Zulfatun, the lecturers' role extends beyond providing theoretical guidance. They also assist MSMEs in addressing real-world business challenges. The mentoring focuses on developing cost structures, calculating the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), establishing competitive pricing strategies, and preparing reliable financial reports to enable entrepreneurs to make informed business decisions.

She expressed hope that the six- to eight-month mentoring process would not only strengthen the managerial capacity of participating MSMEs but also help them become more independent, competitive, and sustainable. Improved business management, she added, is expected to support the transformation of zakat beneficiaries (mustahik) into financially independent entrepreneurs and, ultimately, future zakat contributors (muzaki).

One of UNU Jogja's assisted MSMEs, Dwi Azis Saputra from Nganggring Tourism Village, expressed hope that the program would continue through sustained mentoring and regular monitoring, enabling businesses to grow while improving the welfare of local communities.

Through its collaboration with LAZISNU DIY, UNU Jogja continues to demonstrate its commitment to impactful community engagement. By deploying lecturers as mentors, the university aims not only to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs but also to contribute to building a more independent, competitive, and sustainable economic ecosystem for the community. [Latifah]