UPJ Secures DIKTI Funding in the Partnerships-Based Home Industry-Micro Business Development Program

Bintao, South Tangerang , 24/10/2024 – In remarkable achievement, Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) has secured a prestigious grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) through the Partnership-Based Home Industry-Micro Business Development Program (IRT-UM). UPJ is the only university in the Banten Province to receive this prestigious grant in 2024. 

The IRT-UM program aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by focusing on product diversification, business capacity building, and effective digital marketing strategies. The program targets Home Industries (IRT) and Micro Enterprises (UM) operating in the food, herbal supplements, traditional cosmetics, digital products, and creative industries. Priority is given to IRT and UM, which have significant potential to enhance both local and national economic competitiveness. 

Through a grant amounting to nearly IDR 400 million, the UPJ will implement a series of development activities for its partner MSMEs. The executing team from the UPJ consists of lecturers from Visual Communication Design, Product Design, Accounting, and Management study programs. These lecturers will collaborate to develop a comprehensive development program for the MSME partners. 

Desi Dwi Kristanto, Head of the 2024 UPJ IRT-UM Development Program, explained, "In this year's IRT-UM grant program, we are thrilled to collaborate with our partners: Agnez Rajut, which operates in knitted crafts such as decorations and dolls; Bintaro Fingerboard, which develops fingerboard toys; and Lumina Laser, which focuses on wood and paper decorations using laser cutting technology." 

This program also includes training in the use of digital technology, online marketing, and the development of business networks to expand markets. Additionally, product diversification strategies will be discussed in an effort to enhance the competitiveness of the partner businesses. 

Dr. Ir. Agustinus Agus Setiawan, S.T., M.T., IPM., Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at UPJ, emphasized the importance of the program's sustainability for the empowerment of UPJ's MSME partners. "Through this program, UPJ is committed to continuously supporting and nurturing our MSME partners. The long-term goal is to strengthen the community's economy, particularly those based on Home Industries and Micro Enterprises," Agustinus stated. 

This program is also expected to strengthen the relationship between universities and the industrial world through strategic partnerships. With support from Kemendikbudristek-Dikti, it is hoped that the partner MSMEs can grow more rapidly and become more competitive in an increasingly competitive market. 

In addition to empowering MSMEs, this program also provides opportunities for UPJ students to engage in community service activities, particularly in helping small and medium-sized businesses improve their business capacities. This aligns with UPJ's vision to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also contribute tangibly to advancing the local economy. 

With UPJ's successful acquisition of the IRT-UM grant, the university continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to supporting the development of small industries in Indonesia. The collaboration with MSME partners is expected to bring lasting positive impacts on the local economy, especially in Banten Province. 

This achievement also reflects UPJ's ability to compete at the national level while reinforcing its position as an innovative university actively involved in community development. This program is not merely a development activity but part of UPJ's long-term vision to contribute to economic empowerment and the overall welfare of society. 

Through close collaboration between academics, students, and industry players, UPJ continues to strive to present tangible solutions that can drive the development of household industries and micro-enterprises in Indonesia. UPJ Secures DIKTI Funding in the Partnerships-Based Home Industry-Micro Business Development Program