Surabaya – The 18th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga went beyond strengthening ties among the academic community by creating meaningful economic opportunities for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). By providing 20 MSME booths throughout the anniversary celebration, FPK UNAIR offered local entrepreneurs a platform to promote their products while increasing their business income.
The MSME bazaar became one of the main attractions of the anniversary celebration, which welcomed more than 900 participants. The high level of visitor engagement not only enlivened the event but also generated significant economic benefits for participating vendors. Most MSME owners reported selling nearly all of their products during the celebration, demonstrating how collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities can produce tangible benefits.
Creating an Anniversary Celebration That Supports Local Communities
Through the provision of dedicated booths for MSMEs, FPK UNAIR aimed to organize an anniversary celebration that extended beyond ceremonial activities by creating added value for the surrounding community. Visitors enthusiastically explored a wide variety of products, ranging from food and beverages to creative handmade items offered by local entrepreneurs.
The success of participating MSMEs highlighted the potential of university events to serve as strategic marketplaces, enabling local businesses to reach broader audiences while introducing their products to new customers. The initiative also reflected FPK UNAIR’s commitment to supporting community-based economic development.
University and MSME Collaboration Generates Economic Impact
With approximately 900 attendees participating in the celebration, commercial activities at the MSME bazaar remained lively throughout the event. The continuous flow of visitors resulted in most vendors selling out their products before the program concluded.
This achievement demonstrated how university events can create a multiplier effect on the local economy. Beyond increasing sales revenue, participating entrepreneurs gained valuable opportunities to expand their customer networks and showcase the quality of their products to a more diverse audience.
“We hope collaborations like this will continue to be part of future FPK UNAIR events. The presence of MSMEs not only makes the celebration more vibrant but also represents meaningful support for the growth of the local economy,” said one of the participating MSME owners.
Advancing Sustainable Community Development
The involvement of MSMEs in the 18th Anniversary celebration reflects FPK UNAIR’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable development. By providing business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, the initiative contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) through increased income opportunities for small businesses. The availability of locally produced food products also supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by strengthening local food systems and improving access to quality food products.
Furthermore, the collaboration between FPK UNAIR and the surrounding community exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering partnerships between higher education institutions and local businesses to generate shared benefits. The anniversary celebration therefore served not only as a milestone in the faculty’s history but also as an opportunity to strengthen the university’s relationship with the community as a strategic partner in sustainable development.
Looking ahead, FPK UNAIR hopes to expand MSME participation in future faculty events so that the benefits extend beyond the academic community and continue contributing to sustainable local economic growth.
Writer : Farrel Bhanu Mahardhika
Editor : TPA
