Indonesia Encourages Students to Build Solution-Based Businesses

RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - Indonesia’s Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, has encouraged university students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by turning challenges in their communities into opportunities for solutions and new businesses. He delivered the message during the New Student Socialization and Orientation Week (PESONAMU) at Muhammadiyah University of Bandung in West Java on Monday September 21.

Maman said universities have a strategic role in preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, innovation, and the ability to turn ideas into businesses with economic and social value. He emphasized that entrepreneurship does not necessarily require substantial capital at the beginning.

“Becoming an entrepreneur does not always start with large amounts of capital. Entrepreneurship begins with a mindset, including the ability to identify opportunities, think critically, take action, and create solutions that provide value to others,” he said.

He stressed that student entrepreneurship should not focus solely on financial profit, but also on addressing real problems faced by communities. To support this approach, he introduced three principles for students seeking to build businesses: Think Smart, Start Small, and Be Impactful.

The Think Smart principle encourages students to identify problems around them as potential opportunities by listening to community needs, identifying issues that require solutions, and validating their business ideas. “Think Smart is needed to develop sensitivity to see problems in the surrounding environment as opportunities, listen to community needs, and validate business ideas,” Maman said.

The Start Small principle, meanwhile, encourages students to take their first steps through simple initiatives rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Maman also highlighted Be Impactful, which places social and environmental benefits alongside economic growth as an important element of entrepreneurship.

He urged students not to be afraid of failure, saying university provides an appropriate environment to experiment, test ideas, build networks, and learn from experience. “Campus is the right place to try, so use learning spaces, discussions, organizations, networks, and academic experiences to test your ideas,” he said.

The Ministry of MSMEs is continuing to strengthen support for young entrepreneurs, including those emerging from universities, as part of efforts to develop Indonesia’s broader entrepreneurship ecosystem. Maman said students should combine knowledge, innovation, creativity, and the courage to start in order to build businesses that can grow sustainably while creating economic opportunities and benefits for society.