KMI Expo key to developing student entrepreneurship: Ministry

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2 hours ago

Purwokerto, Central Java (ANTARA) – The Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry said the Indonesian Student Entrepreneurship (KMI) Expo serves as an important space for developing students’ entrepreneurial talent while encouraging innovations that benefit society.

Student affairs coordinator at the ministry, Sukino, said here on Tuesday that the 2026 KMI Expo XVII and the 2026 National Student Competition in Business Management and Finance (KBMK) are not merely competition events for students from various universities across Indonesia.

“More than that, this activity doesn’t just showcase ideas, creativity, innovation, ability, and the drive to keep developing, but is an important space for fostering student entrepreneurship,” he said at the opening of the 2026 KMI Expo XVII and KBMK.

He said that through the event, students are encouraged not only to have ideas, but also to learn how to develop those ideas into something of value that can meet the needs of society and provide broader benefits.

He expressed hope that participants would take part in the event with enthusiasm, integrity, sportsmanship, and confidence, and treat the process as a learning opportunity.

“Don’t look at the competition solely in terms of who becomes the champion. Make every process you go through an opportunity to learn,” he said.

He said Indonesian students need more than just academic ability; they also need to be able to innovate, collaborate, and contribute to solving problems facing society and the nation.

“That is why activities like the KMI Expo and KBMK are significant in building Indonesia’s talent development ecosystem,” Sukino said.

Meanwhile, Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Acting Rector Prof. Ali Rokhman said student entrepreneurship needs to be developed not only to build business skills, but also to shape character and produce innovations with added economic value.

“Entrepreneurship needs to be translated into trading ability and business capability. Perhaps in theory it has already been taught in courses, but character is formed through activities like this,” he said.