Gerindra Legislator Urges Universities to Shift Focus from Job Seekers to Job Creators

Universities are being urged to move beyond simply producing job seekers and instead nurture entrepreneurs. The call emerged during a discussion titled ‘Creative Hub, MSMEs and Digitalisation: Pillars of the Modern Creative Economy Ecosystem’, which emphasised the role of campuses as engines of the creative economy.

Kawendra Lukistian, Chairman of the National Creative Economy Movement (Gekrafs) and a member of House of Representatives Commission VI from the Gerindra Party faction, challenged universities to adopt the number of graduates who own businesses as a key performance indicator (KPI) for their institutions.

“For instance, could the KPI at UMP (Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto) be whether its students have their own businesses after graduating, particularly in the creative economy sector? We could challenge them by combining their thesis with launching a business, and make that a graduation KPI,” Kawendra said in a written statement on Tuesday (17 February 2026).

He stressed that campuses need to transform into spaces for real-world practice, where students not only study theory but also begin building businesses from their university days.

“We want campuses to foster the birth of entrepreneurs. We could even establish a Gekrafs chapter specifically at UMP’s campus,” he said.

The proposal was positively received by the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Prof. Dr Jebul Suroso. He noted that UMP had already been moving towards a similar concept through a smart curriculum oriented towards job creation.

“We agree with Kawendra’s proposal. Campuses must become places where job creators are born, not merely job seekers. That is why UMP has prepared a curriculum that encourages students to build businesses whilst still studying,” he said.

He explained that the curriculum’s implementation is realised through a kopyor coconut commercialisation programme that produces various value-added derivative products, including chocolate confections.

Additionally, UMP runs a community-impact professors programme that involves direct engagement in community empowerment, including at the Kampung Inggris Banyumas educational tourism area.

During the forum, Kawendra also highlighted the potential of Banyumas and Purwokerto as regions with creative economy strengths rooted in intellectual capital.

“When it comes to the creative economy, Purwokerto has already become an intellectual territory that can be optimised. This represents value that can become intellectual property and be utilised by the community,” he explained.