The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the three higher education institutions in Jakarta on Monday.
Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said the involvement of universities is crucial through the implementation of the three pillars of higher education: education, research, and community service.
He explained that under the cooperation, universities will contribute in various ways, including community service programs, the development of business incubators, and capacity building for cooperative managers, supervisors, and administrators to ensure KDMPs adopt professional governance.
“Through community service programs, many students from different disciplines can assist and develop KDMPs in villages and urban areas to optimize local potential and deliver economic benefits for residents,” he said.
He added that universities can also collaborate with rural enterprises through business incubators, which hold significant potential to strengthen village independence.
Budi Arie highlighted that the cooperation with the Council of Rectors of Indonesian State Universities will focus on consolidating all state universities and polytechnics to enhance cooperative human resources, align curricula, and research downstreaming.
Meanwhile, the collaboration with the Indonesian Rector Forum aims to create synergy in implementing cooperative policies, covering institutional development, digitalization, business growth, and research and innovation.
With University of Indonesia, the cooperation will focus on education, research, and community service, including the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka program and thematic community service activities centered on KDMP development.
Budi Arie expressed hope that the synergy between the ministry, universities, and local governments will lead to collaborative programs, innovative business models, and competency standards for cooperative human resources that can be applied nationwide.
Chair of the Indonesian Rector Forum Nurhasan said the 4,300 universities, both public and private, under the forum are ready to support KDMP human resource training, including through thematic community service programs involving students and lecturers.
Related news: RI Govt pushes ahead with training for village cooperative managers
Related news: Govt to finalize regulations supporting village cooperative operation
Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
