APINDO North Maluku Explores Partnership with Khairun University to Promote Entrepreneurship and Empower MSMEs
Monday, 19 October 2026
TERNATE – The Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) of North Maluku Province is exploring a partnership with Khairun University (Unkhair) to promote student entrepreneurship and strengthen the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the province.
The collaboration will focus on the APINDO UMKM Merdeka (AUM) program, which provides students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in assisting MSME owners while supporting the development of their businesses.
The meeting took place at Unkhair’s Rectorate and was attended by Unkhair Rector Prof. Dr. Abdullah W. Jabid, S.E., M.M.; Chairman of the APINDO North Maluku Provincial Board (DPP), Ir. Gajali Abdul Mutalib; and Head of Institutional Relations of APINDO North Maluku, Arsad Sadik Sangaji.
Also present were representatives of APINDO’s National Board (DPN), Edy Silaban and Rizqi Nuralam.
Discussions covered preparations for implementing the AUM program in partnership with universities, participant registration and selection mechanisms, as well as potential partnership support from the government, business community, media, and other stakeholders in North Maluku.
Through the program, students will have the opportunity to undertake independent internships lasting three to four months at MSMEs supported by APINDO.
Throughout the program, participants will receive direct, on-site guidance from experienced mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills while helping MSMEs expand their businesses.
Unkhair Rector Prof. Abdullah W. Jabid welcomed the initiative proposed by APINDO North Maluku.
He said the collaboration represented a concrete step toward bridging the academic world with the business and industrial sectors.
“The APINDO UMKM Merdeka (AUM) program provides Unkhair students with a valuable opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills through direct practical experience,” he said.
The rector expressed hope that the synergy would not only produce resilient young entrepreneurs but also make a tangible contribution to strengthening the regional economy through MSME development and mentoring.
Chairman of the APINDO North Maluku Provincial Board, Ir. Gajali Abdul Mutalib, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to building an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem and supporting the growth of local MSMEs.
“Through the AUM program, we aim to actively involve students in assisting local MSME owners. With three to four months of direct mentoring from APINDO mentors, students will gain practical experience, while the MSMEs we support will benefit from new ideas, innovation, and business development opportunities,” Gajali said.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration with Unkhair, supported by strategic partners, would generate a positive and sustainable impact on the development of local businesses.
As a follow-up, Unkhair and APINDO North Maluku will prepare the technical arrangements for implementing the program, including drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the legal basis for their partnership.
The MoU signing is scheduled for October 25, 2026. The event is expected to be attended by North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda, Unkhair Rector Prof. Abdullah W. Jabid, and APINDO National Chairperson Shinta Widjaja Kamdani.
The series of activities is scheduled to begin with a public lecture on October 24, 2026, at the Nuku Hall, Unkhair Campus II.
The public lecture will feature Shinta Widjaja Kamdani and Unkhair Rector Prof. Abdullah W. Jabid as opening speakers.
This partnership marks an initial step toward expanding student involvement in MSME development while strengthening ties between higher education institutions and the business community in North Maluku.
