State universities open doors to small enterprises<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading state universities have
\nagreed to open their doors to small enterprises, offering a range
\nof assistance from management training to consultation.<\/p>\n
The new deal is yet another major breakthrough by Minister of
\nEducation and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro in his campaign to
\npromote the "link and match" concept between education and the
\nworking world.<\/p>\n
Wardiman signed the agreement with Minister of Cooperatives
\nand Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya at his office
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended by the rectors of the universities
\nenlisted, including the University of Indonesia (Jakarta), the
\nBogor Agriculture Institute, the University of North Sumatra
\n(Medan) and the Gadjah Mada University (Yogyakarta).<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, the universities will attempt to fulfill the
\nvarious needs of small-scale entrepreneurs. This includes
\nproviding guidance, advice, education and training in a number of
\nsectors, as well as provision of advice on management and
\nbusiness consulting.<\/p>\n
In a speech at the signing ceremony, Subiakto said the program
\nis expected to bolster the government's drive to create more
\ncompetitive medium-scale enterprises nationwide.<\/p>\n
Need<\/p>\n
Indonesia is expected to need more medium-sized businesses in
\nthe coming years because that type of enterprise can generate a
\ngreater number of employment opportunities and support the export
\ndrive.<\/p>\n
There are currently 32 million business classified as small-
\nscale enterprises and only 31,000 medium-scale enterprises.<\/p>\n
Subiakto said he hoped the universities would not simply
\nconduct research for the small-scale enterprises, but would also
\nadvise and counsel them so that they can expand their operations
\nand grow into medium-scale firms. "What we want is real help, not
\njust something abstract."<\/p>\n
Wardiman said the program also is expected to bring the
\nuniversities closer to meeting the needs of society. "This is a
\nchance to apply the link and match concept."<\/p>\n
Under the program, the government will be issuing vouchers to
\nsmall-scale enterprises, entitling them to assistance from
\ndesignated universities.<\/p>\n
Subiakto explained that his office will finance the project
\nwith funds taken from its annual project budget.<\/p>\n
He refused to divulge the amount earmarked for the project by
\nhis office.<\/p>\n
He said that certain criteria need to be imposed on the kind
\nof enterprises qualified to join the program. Among the
\nspecifications will be the value added amount they generate, the
\nnumber of jobs they provide and their business potential,
\nincluding in exports. (yns)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/state-universities-open-doors-to-small-enterprises-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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