Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia South Kalimantan Explores Collaboration with Universitas Lambung Mangkurat
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Banjarmasin – The South Kalimanthttps://www.kabarborneoraya.com/2026/02/apindo-kalimantan-selatan-jajaki.html?m=1an Provincial Board of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) paid a courtesy visit to the Faculty of Economics at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) on Monday (February 9, 2026), to explore potential collaboration between the business community and academia.
The APINDO delegation, consisting of Winardi Sethiono, IBG Dharma Putra, Noorhalis Majid, and Rafiqah, was received by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Dr. Ahmad Yunani. The meeting focused on a range of issues, particularly regional economic trends, trade, business dynamics, and the broader challenges facing local enterprises.
APINDO Chairman Winardi Sethiono emphasized that entrepreneurs increasingly rely on academic perspectives and rigorous economic analysis to guide business development strategies.
“To be frank, business actors often face difficulties in finding academics who are both capable and willing to provide critical analyses of the economic problems confronting local entrepreneurs,” Winardi said.
Several collaboration opportunities were discussed during the meeting, including the establishment of a dedicated economic discussion forum to address regional business dynamics. The parties also explored internship programs that would enable university students to gain hands-on experience within APINDO member companies across South Kalimantan.
In addition, proposals were raised to create opportunities for business practitioners to contribute as guest lecturers or professional instructors, sharing practical insights with students. A joint study on the development of new economic zones was also suggested as a strategic initiative to stimulate growth, attract investment, and expand employment opportunities in South Kalimantan.
“APINDO’s primary mission is to create jobs. The workforce that fills those positions comes from universities. Therefore, we have a vested interest in preparing competent human resources from the campus level. Collaboration is essential so that job creation efforts can be realized through a pentahelix approach,” Winardi added.
Dean Dr. Ahmad Yunani welcomed the proposed initiatives, expressing hope that the collaboration would enable the university to gain deeper exposure to real-world business dynamics. He noted that academic institutions often possess strong theoretical foundations but may lack sufficient practical engagement with industry realities.
Both parties agreed to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed during the APINDO South Kalimantan Provincial Coordination Meeting (RAKORKONPROV) scheduled for April 2026. The MoU aims to translate the discussed collaboration opportunities into concrete, actionable programs.
Source: https://www.kabarborneoraya.com/
