UNAND and APINDO Support SDG 8 and SDG 17 through Student-Based MSME Empowerment Collaboration

Padang, April 23, 2026 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) strengthened its strategic role in regional economic development through collaboration with the Indonesian Employers Association of West Sumatra, known as APINDO Sumbar.

The commitment was highlighted during the 2026 Work Meeting and Consultation of DPP APINDO Sumbar, held on Thursday, April 23, at Hotel Pangeran Padang. The event carried the theme “Rising Together to Build a Resilient and Sustainable Economy in West Sumatra” and was attended by APINDO National Chairperson Sinta Kamdani, the Governor of West Sumatra, regional government officials, business actors, and UNAND Rector Efa Yonnedi, Ph.D.

Chairperson of DPP APINDO Sumbar, Rina Pangeran, stated that West Sumatra is currently in a recovery phase after floods and landslides that affected communities, infrastructure, and economic activities. Nevertheless, the region still has strong potential in agriculture, plantations, processing industries, and tourism.

As a concrete step, APINDO Sumbar introduced three flagship programs. The first is student-based MSME mentoring, using a model where one MSME is supported by five students and one entrepreneur. This year, the program targets 200 MSMEs with the involvement of around 1,000 students. The second program focuses on strengthening food security through the establishment of a task force, starting with the management of 70 hectares of land and targeting expansion of up to 5,000 hectares. The third program focuses on environmental management toward a zero-waste-to-landfill target.

APINDO National Chairperson Sinta Kamdani emphasized that synergy between government, business, and academia is essential in responding to increasingly complex global economic dynamics, including rising energy prices and inflationary pressures. She noted that West Sumatra has major opportunities to grow through its leading sectors, demographic bonus, and tourism development.

West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansarullah also highlighted the importance of MSMEs in the regional economy. According to him, the number of MSMEs in West Sumatra has increased from around 600,000 to more than 740,000 units in the last three years, with around 99 percent classified as micro enterprises.

Responding to these conditions, UNAND and APINDO Sumbar formalized their strategic cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Student-Based MSME Internship Program in West Sumatra. The collaboration is expected to strengthen MSME capacity while giving students direct experience in the business sector.

UNAND Rector Efa Yonnedi stated that the collaboration is a strategic step to strengthen the university’s contribution to regional economic development. Through the program, UNAND not only supports MSME capacity building, but also provides students with practical experience so they are better prepared to enter the workforce or become entrepreneurs.

This initiative supports SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth by strengthening MSMEs, expanding student exposure to entrepreneurship, and supporting inclusive regional economic recovery. Through mentoring, internships, and collaboration with entrepreneurs, the program helps build stronger business capacity while preparing students for future employment and enterprise development.

The collaboration also aligns with SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals because it brings together higher education, business associations, government, entrepreneurs, and students to address economic recovery and sustainable development. Through this partnership, UNAND and APINDO Sumbar demonstrate how cross-sector cooperation can support MSME growth, food security, environmental management, and a more resilient economy in West Sumatra.

Through this collaboration, UNAND reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a university that contributes directly to society and regional development. By connecting students with MSMEs and business actors, the university continues to strengthen the bridge between campus learning, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth in West Sumatra.