“We want to incorporate cooperative values into several compulsory courses at universities, including Pancasila economics,” Brian said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono and several other ministers at the Ministry of Cooperatives office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Brian explained that the cooperation is part of an agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and the Ministry of Cooperatives to reinforce the role of cooperatives, including the Red and White Village and sub-district Cooperatives, known as Kopdes Merah Putih, as drivers of the people-centered economy.
He added that the ministry is also committed to revitalizing student cooperatives (Kopma) and university cooperatives as role models for the establishment of new cooperatives in various regions.
In addition, he said thematic community service programs (KKN) and other university initiatives are expected to collaborate with Kopdes Merah Putih, allowing final-year students and lecturers to serve as mentors for cooperatives in the regions.
With more than 4,000 campuses across Indonesia, Brian expressed optimism that the initiative would become a collective movement and further strengthen cooperatives as a pillar of the national economy.
At the same event, Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said the cooperation with the higher education ministry focuses on utilizing research outcomes and innovation to support cooperative development, including revitalizing student cooperatives and implementing thematic community service programs (KKN) to strengthen village-level cooperatives.
“We want KKN programs to be designed thematically to provide mentoring and guidance for village cooperatives,” Ferry said.
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Translator: Shofi, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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