Deputy Minister urges universities to create young entrepreneurs

Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Wamendiktisaintek) Fauzan is encouraging universities to produce outstanding young entrepreneurs, a key element in implementing the ‘Impactful Campus’ (Kampus Berdampak) concept. “Campuses are expected to provide services, coaching, and act as facilitators for the birth of student-based entrepreneurs. Campuses must also have social awareness to solve social problems, one of which is unemployment,” said Wamen Fauzan in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday. Wamendiktisaintek is pushing for stronger collaboration between universities, local governments, and the business and industrial sectors to accelerate the emergence of young entrepreneurs based on local potential. One model being developed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is a university consortium in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) that brings together campuses, local government, and industry partners to develop entrepreneurship based on local culture and regional potential. As a commitment to fostering a student entrepreneurship ecosystem, Kemdiktisaintek continues to develop various programmes, including the Student Entrepreneur Development Programme (P2MW). This view aligns with the directives of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, who place the strengthening of the people’s economy, empowerment of MSMEs, and job creation as crucial parts of the Asta Cita vision towards a Golden Indonesia 2045. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia’s open unemployment rate in February 2026 was recorded at 4.68 percent, or around 7.24 million people. On the other hand, Indonesia is currently enjoying a demographic dividend, with the productive-age population dominating, which serves as important capital for national economic growth. This situation demands the strengthening of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including through the role of universities in preparing a young generation that is innovative, adaptive, and capable of creating business opportunities. Therefore, universities are expected not only to produce job seekers but also job creators who can provide solutions for society.