UPNVJ Public Relations - The Development Economics Student Association of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Veteran National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ) successfully held the 2025 National Economic Development Summit (NEDS) on September 18.
The program is a flagship work program that features a development economics seminar and an MSME bazaar. Themed "Promoting an Inclusive Digital Economy: Collaboration between MSMEs and Education to Foster Entrepreneurship in the 4.0 Era," the event aims to strengthen students' understanding of entrepreneurship, the role of MSMEs, and digital literacy as key to facing the 4.0 industrial revolution.
The event, which took place at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Auditorium, was attended by 115 participants and featured 8 local MSME stands.
The keynote speakers were Muhammad Islahuddin, Fadhli Suko Wiryanto, S.Pd., M.Sc., and Jodhy Farrel Budiman. They offered different yet complementary perspectives on digital transformation in the MSME sector.
In his presentation, Muhammad Islahuddin emphasized that MSMEs are a key pillar of the Indonesian economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. He noted that digitalization offers significant opportunities for expanding markets, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency, although challenges remain in digital literacy and cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, Fadhli Suko Wiryanto highlighted the strategic role of digital marketing and the importance of education in developing adaptive and innovative human resources. He emphasized mastery of technologies such as AI, fintech, big data, and IoT as vital competencies in the Society 5.0 era.
From the perspective of the younger generation, Jodhy Farrel Budiman emphasized that digitalization fosters entrepreneurial spirit, even though obstacles such as fear of failure and limited experience still loom. "Success can only be achieved with the courage to try and a never-give-up mentality," he emphasized.
The event also featured an interactive talk show session that brought together the views of CEOs, academics, and student entrepreneurs on the future direction of digital MSMEs. The talk show emphasized that digital transformation is not just about technology, but also about cross-sector collaboration and the courage of the younger generation to create new opportunities.
With the spirit of collaboration and innovation, NEDS 2025 is a strategic platform for students to learn, network, and contribute to driving inclusive and sustainable digital economic growth.