The Sriboga MSME Business Sharing event, themed “Knowledge, Experience, and Go Digital,” is an implementation of the synergy between education and industry. It was attended by several MSME owners around Semarang City, lecturers, and students from the Faculty of Engineering, Semarang State University (UNNES), with the hope of improving the achievement of the SDGs, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) also SGD 17 (Partnerships for The Goals). The event took place on July 28, 2026, in the third-floor meeting room of the UNNES Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Office building.
Through its MSME empowerment program, Sriboga not only provides education on product usage but also empowers entrepreneurs to develop skills in business development, from product innovation and business management to marketing and finance, to the use of digital technology.
PT Sriboga Flour Mill’s Commercial General Manager, Rike Sundari S.Si, MBA, stated that collaborating with universities is crucial because the company faces limitations in developing the comprehensive capacity of MSMEs. “Our goal is for our fostered MSMEs to not only become product users but also grow together with Sriboga. Therefore, we collaborate with parties with the capacity to develop knowledge and skills, including universities,” she said.
The event at UNNES also featured seminars, business sharing sessions, and baking demonstrations to strengthen the skills of MSMEs. During the seminar, participants received material on “Food Safety in Wheat Flour-Based Products” from Dr. Ir. Siti Fathonah, M.Kes., a lecturer from the UNNES Faculty of Engineering, and “Kitchen Business Secrets: Success ala Gotri Bakery” from Gotri Bakery’s owner, Prihatin, S.Sos.I.
In addition, Chef Rudi Nasrudin from the Sriboga Customer Center Semarang also provided baking demonstrations, presenting innovative recipes for Éclaire and Féuilletine Choco Banana Cake. The activity aims to broaden the horizons of MSMEs in creating new products that align with market trends.
From an academic perspective, UNNES welcomed the collaboration as part of the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly community service. The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UNNES, Prof. Dr. Wirawan Sumbodo, M.T., stated that universities have a role in supporting industrial growth through human resource development, research, and community mentoring.
“This collaboration demonstrates synergy between education and industry. Students and lecturers can contribute through innovation, product research, MSME mentoring, and human resource competency development,” he said. He further explained that this collaboration also opens opportunities for students to gain industry experience through internships and involvement in food product development.
The event was also attended by PT Sriboga Flour Mill staff, including Rike Sundari S.Si., MBA, GM Commercial; Maria Wuri Handayani, Marketing Manager; Beny Fajar Apriyanto, National Sales Manager; Agus Surono, Regional Business Manager for Area Central 1; and Ahmad Mukholil, Head of the MSME Empowerment Division.
Present from UNNES were Prof. Dr. Wirawan Sumbodo, M.T., Rusiyanto, S.Pd., M.T., Vice Dean for Business, Research, and Cooperation; Octavianti Paramita, S.Pd., M.Sc.; lecturers, members of the Faculty of Engineering academic community, and MSMEs from the Greater Semarang area and surrounding areas.
Through this collaboration between industry and higher education, PT Sriboga Flour Mill and UNNES hope that MSMEs will be able to improve their business capabilities, expand their markets, and develop into more modern, innovative, and competitive businesses.
