The Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP), Prof Dr\nJebul Suroso, has declared his support for a proposal by the Chairman of\nthe National Creative Economy Movement (Gekrafs), Kawendra Lukistian.\nThe proposal advocates for business creation and job generation to serve\nas indicators of student graduation.<\/p>\n
Kawendra proposed that higher education institutions adopt the number\nof graduates who own businesses as a key performance indicator (KPI) for\nuniversities, particularly in the creative economy sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, could UMP\u2019s campus KPI be whether its students have\ntheir own businesses after graduating, especially in the creative\neconomy sector? We would challenge them to write their thesis whilst\nopening a business, and that would become the KPI for graduating from\nthat university,\u201d said Kawendra on Tuesday (17\/2\/2026).<\/p>\n
The remarks were delivered during a discussion entitled \u201cCreative\nHub, MSMEs and Digitalisation: Pillars of the Modern Creative Economy\nEcosystem,\u201d held at Samara Cafe & Eatery in Purwokerto on Monday\n(16\/2).<\/p>\n
He emphasised that universities should not merely function as venues\nfor formal education but also as practical spaces capable of producing\nyoung entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want universities to encourage the birth of entrepreneurs. There\ncould be a Gekrafs chapter at UMP specifically on campus,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In response, UMP Rector Prof Jebul Suroso stated that his institution\nwas aligned with the proposal and had in fact already implemented a\ncurriculum concept based on job creation through its smart curriculum\nprogramme.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe agree with Kawendra\u2019s idea. Universities must be places where job\ncreators are born, not just job seekers. That is why UMP has prepared a\ncurriculum that encourages students to build businesses whilst still\nstudying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He cited the example of a kopyor coconut downstream processing\nprogramme that has produced various economically valuable derivative\nproducts, including processed chocolate products, as part of the\nimplementation of an impact-driven curriculum.<\/p>\n
Additionally, UMP runs an \u201cimpactful professor\u201d programme in which\nacademics are directly involved in community development, including at\nthe English Village educational tourism area in Banyumas.<\/p>\n
During the same event, Kawendra also highlighted the significant\npotential of Banyumas and Purwokerto in the creative economy sector\nbased on intellectual wealth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we talk about the creative economy, Purwokerto has already\nbecome an intellectual territory that can be optimised. This is value\nthat can become intellectual property and be utilised by the community,\u201d\nhe explained.<\/p>\n
He added that strengthening collaboration between universities and\ncreative communities is key to creating a sustainable creative economy\necosystem that delivers tangible social impact.<\/p>\n
The discussion is expected to serve as a strategic step in driving\nthe transformation of higher education institutions into centres for\nproducing young entrepreneurs, whilst simultaneously reinforcing the\nrole of universities in creating employment and improving community\nwelfare.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ump-rector-backs-proposal-to-make-business-creation-a-graduation-requirement-1771400927", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }