Mercu Buana-UMT Collaboration Boosts UMKM Adaptability and Competitiveness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Universitas Mercu Buana (UMB) is collaborating with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in community service activities to encourage micro, small, and medium enterprise (UMKM) actors in Meruya Selatan, West Jakarta, to become more adaptive and competitive. The activity is carried out through an international cooperation scheme, focusing on strengthening the capacity of UMKM actors in business management, marketing, product innovation, and the utilisation of digital technology. He explained that many UMKM actors still face various challenges, ranging from financial record-keeping, marketing, product innovation, technology use, to business management. Most UMKM, he said, also lack structured business documentation, customer segmentation analysis, or branding strategies oriented towards sustainability. Meanwhile, Associate Professor from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Zikri Muhamad, emphasised the importance of strengthening human resource talents to maintain business sustainability. “UMKM sustainability depends on talents that are disciplined, creative, adaptive, and long-term oriented,” he said. In the activity, participants received guidance on identifying customer needs, sustainability-based branding strategies, the use of environmentally friendly packaging, and responsible business communication. The Universitas Mercu Buana teaching team also provided strengthening regarding entrepreneurial mindset, marketing, business governance, human resource development, product innovation, and business digitalisation. Through the activity, participants are directed to recognise product strengths, improve business weaknesses, and implement practical steps, such as daily record-keeping, improving packaging quality, strengthening brands, and customer communication. The international collaboration is expected to enhance the capacity of UMKM actors to become more professional, sustainable, and capable of improving community welfare.