Universitas Pelita Harapan Launches MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Assistance Program in Kecamatan Kelapa Dua
TANGERANG, 2024 – Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), in collaboration with Kecamatan Kelapa Dua, Kabupaten Tangerang, has initiated a comprehensive program to support local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through both financial and non-financial assistance. This initiative is designed to help small-scale entrepreneurs establish financially and socially sustainable businesses, enabling them to grow and compete in wider markets.
More than 150 MSMEs from sectors such as services, culinary businesses, and local branded products have already registered for the program, with numbers continuing to increase as awareness spreads. Alongside mentoring and capacity-building activities, UPH’s Student Life Department provides targeted financial assistance for start-ups and developing businesses through Service Learning Projects under the Leadership Course taken by students. These initiatives are conducted to help cover essential needs, such as product development, legal permits, packaging design, and digital marketing tools.
Through the involvement of over 500 students and faculty members across various disciplines, the program combines academic knowledge with community empowerment. Students were deployed in groups to conduct pre-assessments, identifying the key challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, ranging from access to capital and business licensing, to promotional strategies and product innovation. In addition to direct mentoring, the program offers opportunities for MSMEs to connect with potential investors, gain access to digital platforms for promotion, and participate in UPH-hosted events to showcase their products. By bridging financial assistance with holistic business support, UPH ensures that local start-ups not only survive but thrive in a competitive marketplace.
One of the participating businesses, Konveksi 24 Jam, a local garment service in Bencongan, expressed hopes of developing its own brand and expanding its market reach. With the combined support of UPH’s students, faculty, and financial assistance programs, such aspirations are now within closer reach.
Through this initiative, UPH provided assistance to the local community in supporting the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses by offering relevant education and resources, including mentorship programs, training workshops, and practical guidance. The project team helped Konveksi 24 Jam enhance its business sustainability through social media marketing training and branding development. Students educated the business owner on effective online marketing strategies, such as creating engaging content to improve customer interaction and increase sales. Additionally, they conducted a logo design and branding workshop, guiding the partner in producing a distinctive and appealing brand identity.
These activities equipped the business with essential entrepreneurial knowledge and creative resources, fostering both financial growth and social empowerment. This initiative reflects UPH’s long-term commitment to empowering local communities through sustainable entrepreneurship, building economic resilience at the grassroots level, and contributing to broader national development goals.