Head of the ITS SDGs Study Center Dr Dra Melania Suweni Muntini MT giving a speech at the Coaching Clinic

ITS Campus, ITS News – The active role of the Center for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Studies at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in encouraging the development of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) continues. One of them is realized through Coaching Clinic activities for BUMDes by providing training and knowledge to penetrate the global market, Thursday (10/10).

Head of the ITS SDGs Study Center Dr Dra Melania Suweni Muntini MT said ITS continues to be committed to achieving the 17 SDGs, especially poverty. To alleviate poverty, it can be done with sustainable economic growth, especially encouraging middle-class businesses. “Through encouraging BUMDes, we slowly provide stimulation for economic growth, especially in the regions,” said the lecturer at the ITS Physics Department.

However, Melania also realizes that BUMDes will not develop and contribute to the national economy if only at the national scope. Entrepreneurs must be encouraged to bring products ready to compete in the global market, one of which is equipped through insight into export strategies. This Coaching Clinicwill prepare BUMDes from the first step to bring their products to the global market.

Opening an interactive discussion session, BUMDes representatives exchanged information and ideas.

Initially, the SDGs Study Center had recruited several BUMDes that met the qualifications and were enthusiastic about participating in further coaching programs. Then, they were given training for three meetings before the Coaching Clinic took place. During the Coaching Clinic, they were equipped with everything from understanding export opportunities, creating export work plans, and product regulation policies. “The speakers presented were directly from export practitioners and BUMDes practitioners who have been able to export,” explained Melania.

In line with Melania, the Head of the Economic and Village Empowerment Division of East Java Province, Endah Binawati, said that the government’s efforts to encourage exports were realized through the Coaching Clinic innovation program. The East Java Province Economic and Village Empowerment Agency (DPMD) is promoting the coaching clinic program by collaborating with the ITS SDGs Study Center. “Collaboration with academics is very important to strengthen insight and open up the BUMDes market network later,” said Endah.

Export practitioner Dr Ir Janti Gunawan MEngSc MComIB during an interactive Coaching Clinic session with BUMDes participants

In addition, Endah also said that the program will continue with several training sessions and export modules. Later, the curriculum focuses on increasing the capacity of human resources (HR) in understanding export-ready products. This can be learned in terms of product packaging, quantity calculation, product quality, and business continuity. “Hopefully this collaboration with ITS will produce BUMDes that are able to struggle with the global market,” hoped this bespectacled woman. (ITS HUMAS)

Reporter: Silvita Pramadani