The School of Business and Management at Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB) organized the Cirebon City MSME Digital Transformation Bootcamp 2026 to demonstrate its commitment to creating a positive social impact. The event took place at the Office of the Department of Cooperatives, MSMEs, Trade, and Industry (DKUKMPP) in Cirebon City on Monday (June 8). It brought together over 30 prominent MSMEs participating in the city’s development program, providing them with mentorship, consultation, and business development recommendations focused on digital transformation.
This program was created through a collaboration involving SBM ITB, the Cirebon City Government, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), industry practitioners, and various strategic partners. The goal is to enhance the capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) so they can adapt to technological advancements and address the challenges of the digital economy.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for MSME Growth
The bootcamp is part of the Collaboration for Growth initiative introduced by SBM ITB’s Entrepreneurship Study Program. In addition to providing direct benefits to MSMEs, the program also serves as an experiential learning opportunity for students through their Final Semester Examination (UAS) project.
In his opening remarks, Sonny Rustiadi, Ph.D., Head of the Entrepreneurship Study Program at SBM ITB, emphasized that the program represents SBM ITB’s tangible commitment to generating social impact through entrepreneurship education. According to him, universities should not only produce high-quality research and graduates but also provide solutions to real-world challenges faced by communities and business owners.
“Students do not only learn in the classroom, but they also engage directly with MSMEs to understand the challenges they face and formulate recommendations that are practical, affordable, and applicable,” he said.
Safe Digital Transformation for MSMEs
One of the program’s unique features is its focus not only on business digitalization but also on digital security, an aspect that is still often overlooked in MSME development programs.
Dirgantara Manurung, Head of the Digital Literacy Task Force for Business Owners and Women Segments at Komdigi, explained that many MSMEs remain at the micro or even ultra micro scale for years. He expressed hope that students would create recommendations that are easy to implement and can provide direct benefits to business owners.
“What matters most is not just generating interesting ideas, but ensuring that the recommendations can be implemented and create a direct impact on MSME development,” he stated.
During the mentoring sessions, students and MSME participants discussed various strategic topics, including the importance of digital business assets, cybersecurity risks, common digital threats faced by MSMEs, the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), and practical steps to protect business data and digital assets.
The Regional Secretary of Cirebon City, Dr. H. Iing Daiman, S.IP., M.Si., also highlighted the program’s strategic importance in enhancing business owners’ capabilities through learning and collaboration. “We hope that collaborations like this can become a role model for supporting regional economic growth through MSME empowerment,” said Iing.
Valuable Experience for MSMEs and Students
For MSME participants, the event provided an opportunity to gain new perspectives and receive direct feedback on their business development efforts.
“This event has been very helpful because I received assistance with product design and was able to consult directly with students about the shortcomings of my products. I also gained many new experiences,” said Mrs. Yaya, one of the participants.
While still in the business planning stage, Mrs. Titin took the opportunity to gain valuable insights and guidance. “I don’t have a business yet, but I do have a business idea. This program is very helpful for people like me, who have limited technological knowledge. It enables us to keep up with developments in the digital era,” she explained.
The Cirebon City MSME Digital Transformation Bootcamp 2026 demonstrates that collaboration among universities, government institutions, and industry stakeholders can create programs that are not only educational but also generate tangible impact in strengthening MSMEs as key drivers of both regional and national economic growth.
