Synergy between BUMD and Educational Institutions Supports the Red and White Cooperative as a Pillar of the Community’s Economy
By: Adnan Ramdani )*
In an effort to build the independence and resilience of the nation’s economy, synergy between Regionally-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) and educational institutions plays a crucial role. This strategic collaboration not only strengthens the local economic ecosystem, but also becomes the driving force for the birth of modern cooperatives that are able to become pillars of the community’s economy. One real form of this synergy is support for the Red and White Cooperative, a people’s economic movement that prioritizes the values of mutual cooperation, independence, and sustainability.
The Red and White Cooperative was born from the spirit of presenting a cooperative that is not only a place for savings and loans or distribution of goods, but as a new economic ecosystem based on Pancasila values. This is where BUMD and educational institutions can play a major role as catalysts. BUMD, as a representation of the regional government in the business sector, has resources and networks that can strengthen the cooperative infrastructure. Meanwhile, educational institutions are present as producers of superior human resources and centers of innovation that can accelerate the professionalization of cooperatives.
Rector of the University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Heri Hermansyah said that his party fully supports the synergy between BUMD and the Red and White Cooperative as an economic pillar in developing villages. In addition, UI is also committed to being a catalyst for real change for villages in Indonesia, not only from an academic perspective, but also as a strategic partner in building institutional and economic capacity for the community.
This synergy has a very broad strategic dimension. On the one hand, BUMD can utilize the potential of cooperatives to reach a wider market segment, especially the lower classes who are now beginning to be reached by formal economic services through the role of cooperatives. By partnering with cooperatives, BUMD can run CSR programs that are more targeted, while expanding the distribution of regional products or services. On the other hand, cooperatives also receive capital support, market access, and stronger legal legitimacy through this partnership.
Educational institutions play a very important complementary role. As institutions that produce future generations, universities and vocational schools can make real contributions through research, training, and managerial assistance to cooperatives. In the long term, this will increase the managerial capacity of cooperatives, strengthen governance, and encourage the transformation of cooperatives from mere traditional businesses to modern economic entities that are efficient and adaptive to the times.
Concrete examples of this collaboration can be student internship programs in cooperatives fostered by BUMD, digital financial training for cooperative members, and collaborative research to create sustainable cooperative business models. Not only that, the education curriculum can also be aligned with real needs in the field through cooperative case studies that are integrated into learning. Thus, students not only get theory, but also direct experience in building a people’s economy.
In the context of regional development, the Red and White Cooperative is a symbol of the ideal synergy between the government, the business world, and the world of education. Through this cooperative, the community is not only an object of development, but also an active subject that contributes. This is in line with the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045, where empowering the people’s economy is one of the main priorities.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Deputy for Village and Rural Resilience of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), Suwatin said that institutional integration between BUMD and the Red and White Cooperative is a concrete step in building an inclusive and adaptive village economic system to the challenges of the times. With good governance and continuous innovation, these two entities can become the driving force of a resilient village economy
BUMD is now increasingly aware that cooperatives are strategic partners in driving inclusive economic growth. BUMD support can be in the form of providing business facilities, capital participation, and supply chain integration. When cooperatives are able to become part of the regional business ecosystem, the sustainability of the local economy will be increasingly guaranteed.
In addition, educational institutions must continue to develop curricula that are relevant and responsive to the needs of the times. Learning about entrepreneurship, digital economy, and cooperative management needs to be instilled early on, not only theoretically but also practically. Collaboration with BUMD and cooperatives can provide invaluable field experience for students, while also producing young leaders who understand the grassroots and have the spirit of building from below.
This positive synergy must continue to be strengthened with supportive policies. Local governments cana initiated a coordination forum between BUMD, educational institutions, and cooperatives to formulate collaborative programs on an ongoing basis. With the right regulations and facilitation, this collaboration will become a new economic force that can bring prosperity to the wider community.
Ultimately, the success of the Red and White Cooperative as a pillar of the community’s economy is not only determined by the internal strength of the cooperative itself, but also by our ability to build a supportive ecosystem. The synergy between BUMD and educational institutions is one of the main pillars in creating this ecosystem. With the spirit of collaboration, mutual cooperation, and innovation, Indonesian cooperatives are ready to become an independent and competitive people’s economic force.
)* The author is an economic observer
