The Institute for Research and Community Service at Parahyangan Catholic University (LPPM UNPAR) and the Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation (YDBA) have joined hands in a significant Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed at the UNPAR Rectorate Building on March 25, 2024. This collaboration aims to provide coaching and support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in the culinary and crafts sectors.
The YDBA is one of PT Astra International Tbk’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementers. Astra International, Southeast Asia’s largest automotive group, operates primarily in Indonesia, offering a comprehensive range of vehicles in collaboration with major companies like Toyota, Daihatsu, Isuzu, UD Trucks, Peugeot, BMW (automobiles), and Honda (motorcycles). Its subsidiary PT Astra Otoparts Tbk also strengthens its presence in the automotive component sector. Beyond automotive, Astra extends its influence into financial services, heavy equipment, mining, agribusiness, infrastructure, logistics, and information technology. In the financial sector, it provides tailored financial solutions to support automotive and heavy equipment sales, previously having a stake in retail banking through PT Bank Permata Tbk. In 2019, Astra invested US$150 million in the application-based, on-demand service, Gojek.
Under this partnership, UNPAR and YDBA will initiate a development program benefiting 25 MSMEs, with plans for further expansion in the future. Sigit P. Kumala, Chair of the YDBA Management, and Prof. J. Dharma Lesmana, Head of LPPM UNPAR, signed the MoA. Notable witnesses to the agreement include Ir. Catharina Badra Nawangpalupi, Ph.D., UNPAR’s Vice Rector for Cooperation, Alumni, Innovation, and Business, and other distinguished representatives from both institutions.
In addition to the formal agreement, there was a commitment signing ceremony by UNPAR MSMEs representatives in the Culinary and Crafts sectors, highlighting their dedication to growth and development.
Sigit P. Kumala, Chairman of the YDBA Management, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the comprehensive support MSMEs will receive through training, mentoring, and marketing facilitation. He envisioned tangible benefits for participating MSMEs, enabling them to thrive in their respective fields.
Vice-Rector Ir. Catharina Badra Nawangpalupi, Ph.D. lauded the collaboration’s potential to empower culinary and craft-based MSMEs. She highlighted the extensive training and assistance provided by YDBA, including a focus on technical and managerial skills and developing a resilient entrepreneurial mindset. “We really appreciate that YDBA is finally collaborating with UNPAR. Even though we have had informal forms of cooperation for quite a long time, today’s momentum in the form of the signing of the PKS really shows the commitment of both parties,” remarked Catharina.
In conclusion, the partnership between YDBA and UNPAR represents a significant milestone in the journey towards cultivating entrepreneurship and driving economic development. This collaboration highlights UNPAR’s dedication to community engagement and sustainable growth and underscores the vital role that academic institutions play in fostering innovation and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. From the academic perspective, this partnership provides students with invaluable opportunities for hands-on learning, practical skill development, and real-world problem-solving, equipping them with the tools and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing global economy. From the corporate standpoint, this collaboration serves as a testament to the power of academia-industry partnerships in driving innovation, fostering talent development, and creating shared value for society.
This partnership paves the way for mutual learning, collaboration, and collective action toward building a more prosperous and sustainable future by bridging the gap between academia and the business world.
Source: UNPAR